The National Midday Sun

Well, here I am, almost a year since joining tnms, at the dizzy height of 'Moderator'. I've been meaning to break the ice in here for a couple of days now, but this is the first time I've had a chance - and considering the amount I've had to drink tonight, its probably not wise to go to any great lengths!

I've no doubt I'll soon be boring you all with tales of work and play, but sadly I've no time for that now - I'm off to Amazon to drunkenly spend a fortune on cd's, so see ya later ;D

Its my anniversary today - a year to the day since i joined tnms :o I really did'nt think I was going to get the chance to see Rush again at that point, but in the end of course I did......3 times! Every show was fantastic, and the memories are still strong, of great music and great company. Everyone has their favourite, but for me it has to be Wembley 2. The combination of row 4, just the right amount of beer, and a brilliant afternoon in the Green Man, made it a night to remember - capped off by one of Alex's best ever rants. Priceless!

This place takes up far too much of my time and sooner or later I'm going to have to try to cut down................yeh, right lmao

Its my anniversary today - a year to the day since i joined tnms :o I really did'nt think I was going to get the chance to see Rush again at that point, but in the end of course I did......3 times! Every show was fantastic, and the memories are still strong, of great music and great company. Everyone has their favourite, but for me it has to be Wembley 2. The combination of row 4, just the right amount of beer, and a brilliant afternoon in the Green Man, made it a night to remember - capped off by one of Alex's best ever rants. Priceless!

This place takes up far too much of my time and sooner or later I'm going to have to try to cut down................yeh, right lmao

Well, two weeks after my shoulder operation and, although the pain has just about gone, I'm still as uncomfortable as Hell! I have to wear a bloody sling for another 2 weeks which seems like a lifetime :-/ With so much to do at home in the run up to Christmas, having a one armed husband is starting to cause panic to set in with Mrs Pudders.....and you all know what that means!

On a more positive note was able to watch, and manage a bit, Lukes U10 footie yesterday. We're very 'mid-table' this season but our opponents are top and undefeated and you could see why - good individually, but well organised and playing as a team. We lost 2-0, but sometimes you take so many positives away from a game like that the result doesnt matter......and if the one that hit the post in the first minute had gone in, who knows? And nice to see the great spirit both on the pitch between the players, and off it with the spectators. Very enjoyable :D

Shame Palace could'nt hang on for a much needed win yesterday and as for the rugby........bugger, bugger, bugger >:(

I'm approaching the end of week three in this bloody sling >:( I'm fed up, bored, irritable and tired. In short I'm climbing the walls!! It takes for ever to do even the simplest of tasks like making a cup of tea.....I even had to get one of my staff in to take the lid of the bloody kettle yesterday!

I've done hardly anything I had hoped to do during this enforced lay off - I simply did'nt realise the impact it was going to have on me. I have had a few visitors now though, including my sister, who brought home made soup with her for lunch :D, the local priest who brought mud into the house ::), and fellow tnmser, 'Bisto' who brought much needed sanity into the house! (thanks Andrew ;) )

What else? Oh yeh, thanks to Gebs I'm now well installed on The Hub, a truly wonderful place.........that made me realise I needed a new computer! My task this morning is to work my way through all the crap on the main pc to try to free up some much needed space to download to.....actually I'm probably supposed to be hanging up washing and emptying the dish washer but you have to get your priorities right ;D

Had a very good day for a change - mainly due to the performance of Bookham Colts U10 B team, who progressed to the next round of the League Cup with a 3-1 victory away from home. We actually played some very good football for a change, on a lovely flat pitch with grass that had been cut, rather than the usual bumpy hay fields we normally play on!

It's a miracle!...no, not Christmas, but the fact I've finally dug the book 'what I am writing' out again :D I'm planning to spend most of tomorrow re-reading the manuscript and checking sources before ploughing on with a view to finishing the next chapter before Chrimbo.......Well, I'll do my best :-/

Other than that I've a nasty outbreak of Fusarium on the new turf we laid in October - must admit I thought it was Snow Mould, its late in the year for Fusarium to strike like this. So a quick dose of a nasty, enviromentally unsound, chemical is called for ;D

I seem to be approaching it with re-newed enthusiasm, which is great - really think I may finally finish it this time :D

The book has stalled....'other' things have got in the way, including a return to work - well technically speaking anyway as I still cannot actually do anything - and Christmas looming on the very near horizon.

Lukes footies was another good game to watch - unless you are the one armed manage of course! 0-0 this time, which considering they thumped us 5-0 at our place earlier this season was a good result which could have been better if the last minute chance had gone in :-/

This week consists of yet more end of term type things 0 I'm gonna look like a mince pie by Saturday!

Saturday saw the last match for the U10's before Christmas and a disappointing 4-1 loss - though in fairness we were chasing an equaliser when conceeding two very late goals....yet again the initial downcast looks on the boys faces only lasted about a minute before they were off playing again, if only the mum's and dad's could be so resiliant!

I've also been checking up on my sisters progress - she's a volunteer crew member aborad the Bark Endeavour, the replica of Captain Cooks vessel which is now on the return leg to Australia. the website tells me they are currently approaching Antigua - where they will spend Christmas, before making their way through the Panama Canal and across the Pacific. It sounds like hard work but also the chance of a lifetime - I'm looking forward to the tales when she eventually returns. If you are interested you can check out the website at http://www.barkendeavour.com.au/

Its all downhill to Christmas from here folks - Mrs Pudders tells me we are not at all ready....ah well, time for another beer then

Well, my shoulder is definitely on the mend at last. Saw the surgeon last week and he's really pleased with the progress, though I still have to take it easy for a month or two :-/ But at least I'm feeling a little more positive about things on that front.

The kids footie has taken a definite turn for the better, winning our first game back after Christmas 2-0 and then holding top of the table Scorpions 2-2 at their place. We were 2 down at half time and for the first time ever I discarded my mister nice guy image and gave the little cherubs a bollocking during the break. Fortunately it had the right effect and we were level within 10 minutes and hit the bar and the post later in the game. Good to see Luke remembering how to score at last - both goals Saturday and one the week before, all well taken (so he tells me ;) ) With a bit of luck we may make mid table obscurity by the end of the season....

Work is, well, work. The guys have done a good job of covering for me in my abscence and I've been dabbling with a Health and Safety documentation make over involving new Risk Assessment procedures, etc. Thrilling!

Mrs Pudders seems to be spending more time teaching than being a TA these days. In her role of Cover Supervisor she is supposed to be able to present prepared work to a class when a teacher is absent, only in most cases there isnt any prepared work so she is spending 2-3 hours a night writing up lesson plans, stressing her out no end. Secretly she's loving it, but of course no one has a clue what extra she is doing and she's not the sort of person to sing her own praises.

On the music front, the roio collection keeps on growing at an alarming rate, including finding a copy of my first ever Rush gig from 1979, which was a bit scary! Looking forward to a couple of gigs with the wife in attendance this year - and thats the first time for, well, ages! Porcupine Tree and the Aussie Pink Floyd Show are being graced with our presence, (We are taking the boys to the Floyd show at Croydon, their first experiance of a 'proper' gig).

tnms is still a big part of my life though, and recent weeks have seen two brilliantly drunken evenings in the Sauna - I think we managed 200 posts between about 4 of us the other night, and that did'nt include TG :o

Right, got to go and call some football off - i love being a groundsman ;D

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since I was last here.....but sod that, lets talk about the here and now!

I'm finally back into the full swing of work - the shoulder is pretty well healed and I spent 6 hours on the roller giving the cricket square its annual squeeze this week, with out any lasting ill effects.

This weekend I'm off to Belgium for 4 days with the School, on the annual visit to the Battlefields of WW1. I didn't go last year and really missed it. Despite the jokes about it being a Belgian lager piss up there's little time for more than the odd beer - and thats just the kids! Seriously though, we just about get the balence right and hopefully the boys come away from the trip with a better understanding of what their forebears went through.

So I get back from battlefields on Tuesday evening.....and fly to Manchester on Wednesday morning! As some of you will know my eldest son, Sam, has won a competition to meet some of the England players at the launch of the new footie kit on Wednesday, and I'm going with him! He also has to interview John Terry for the TV programme and they are trying to sort out a meet with Wayne Rooney as Sam has told them he's his favourite player ::) Then he's back to Old Trafford on Saturday for the England game, all courtesy of the BBC.

Hectic or what! The last few days have had so much packed in I don't know where to start!

The departure for the Battlefields trip coincided with the kick off time of Lukes U10 cup semi-final replay - and I'm the match day manager! There was nothing for it but to leave the team in the capable hands of my co-manager, Jeff, and wait on the phone call. When it came I didn't have to ask - the kids were all going beserk in the back ground - a 1-0 win and we are in the final!!!!! I'm so pleased for the boys, they've played so well this season, without always getting the breaks they deserve, so to get to the final is a great achievment. We will be underdogs, but I see no reason why we cannot triumph on the day. Whatever, we will stick to the 'pass and move' philosophy that we have emphasised all season - you never know!

The trip was good, with more than the usual handful of kids that were actually interested enough to ask questions, but the journeys there are and back were awful! On the way out a combination of fog and berthing problems at Calais meant it took 4 hours to get across, meaning we had to head straight for the Menin Gate Ceremony, before checking into our hotel and eating. On the way back we found that Calais was shut due to strike action - we found this out AFTER we had been through immigration control - thanks folks! >:( there followed a mad dash to the Tunnel where we managed to get booked on a train due to depart just half an hour later than our sailing - great we thought, back early!

I should have known better - after a cuppa we all piled back on the coach....which wouldn't start! By the time we got the thing jump started we'd missed the train....then we couldn't get the bloody main door shut, so Pudders had to hang on to it as we went through Passport control - only for them to decide that we weren't having a bad enough day and order us all off the coach - 51 of us - to check passports. We then found that one of the boys had lost his passport and it took 20 minutes to find it amongst the detritus on the top deck!

We eventually got back to Leatherhead only a couple of hours late - but being told Sam and I were being picked up at 6.15am for our flight to Manchester wasn't exactly music to my ears!

Sam's experiance was mostly brilliant: Filming at Old Trafford, then the England shirt launch at the Lowry in Manchester and interviewing the thoroughly nice John Terry (He and I discussed the previous weekends result and he assures me that Portsmouth are going down and not to worry!). I'll try and post a few pictures later of Sam with a few of the England team - including the gorgeous Rachels' ;). On the down side we didn't manage to get David Beckhams autograph (the FA's fault), Rio Ferdinands (my fault :-/ ) or Wayne Rooney's (Waynes fault for being involved in an alleged night-club incident that meant they kept him away for most of the day. He actually came back into the hotel as we were leaving and wanted to sign Sam's shirt but was bustled away by his minders, leaving Sam in tears. The BBC are working on trying to get something through United though, so hopefully there will be a happy ending!).

Saturday see's Sam and i back up to Old Trafford for the game - and hopefully the chance to meet up with a few tnmsers back stage as we are not very far apart.

Oh, and Easter gives me the chance to recharge the batteries as well - I'm knackered.

Sam and i had a great time at the England v Northern Ireland game last weekend. We had pretty good seats, courtesy of Sam's competition win, but ended up in the exclusive tnms enclosure for the second half. Good to meet Peter (Roadcrew) for the first time, and see Oz, Mick Parry and Analog for the first time since R30. Sam conned me into going into the Megastore after the game to get 'Rooney' and the number '8' printed on his Man Utd shirt which he just happened to have with him! We then had to battle through thousands of NI fans to get back to the car - in fairness they were in great humour and much friendly banter was exchanged, mostly about Michael Hughes as I was wearing my Palace jacket. A pretty good journey back as well, but I was totally bollocksed by the time I got in - 5 hours up and 4 hours back aint fun!

As I type we have just got in from seeing Porcupine Tree at the Astoria in London. Great gig, really enjoyed it and so did Mrs Pudders - which was looking unlikely when the dreaded migraine struck about 5.30! Fortunately a mad dash up Charing Cross Road to the nearest Boots (thanks Oz!) meant a dose of Migralieve was procured and by the time we left the pub Louise was feeling waaay better. Met up with Bez, CQ, Carrie, Oz, Rascal and Red Star in the pub beforehand - I think Dave Lack was there as well but never got to talk to him - sorry about that :-/ Lost most of them at the Astoria as us oldies headed ofr the relative tranquility of upstairs - too late for a table but we got a barrier to lean on - just in front of Chris (Red Star). Have to say the sound up there was pretty shite for the first half of the PT set, but it did eventually settle down.

We shot off pretty quick at the end - an early finish (9.45ish?) meant we could walk across to Waterloo and the train home at a gentle pace rather than the the usual forced march! Journey home livened up by drunken/homeless smelly person with bloody great dog getting on the train at Clapham. Fortunately he decided to pester the other end of the carriage - but Louise comforted us with the knowledge that she was sure he was heading for Leatherhead and the night hostel we have in the town. She was spot on of course, however only his dog made it off the train after i opened the doors because the fella was so pissed he didn't get off before the doors shut again....last seen heading for Dorking ;D

We got up to town about mid-day which allowed us to catch the 12.30 Mass at Westminster Cathedral. The plaza outside was full of media set up in anticipation of the Pope's death - and of course they got their story later that evening. The service was short but quietly contemplative and we were glad we had made the effort to attend.

We then strolled across St. James Park and down Pall Mall, taking the scenic route to Covent Garden where we met up with our mate Tim for a pint and a pastie in The Cove. With a couple of hours to kill before the meet up in the Montague Pyke we headed for the National Gallery.

I hadn't been there since I was at School, and I had no idea how many 'famous' paintings were housed there - Constable's 'Haywain', Van Gogh's 'The Sunflowers' to name two - plus many others that I recognised by painters like Canelleto, Holbein, Gainsborough, Monet and Turner. Very pleasent way to spend the time.

Over the last few weeks we've had the excitement of Luke's cup final, the start (for the boys) of the cricket season and some crap weather!

First, the final! Well, we lost >:( I'm assured by the neutrals that it was a great game to watch but, having got there I was disappointed we couldn't get a result. In fairness to the opposition - Nutfield Youth - they thoroughly deserved there 2-1 victory, playing quick, intelligent and accurate passes that caused us no end of trouble in the first 10 minutes....meaning that we were soon 2 down and i was left regretting my decision to start with a solid, but not pacy, left back. So, off he came.....and round came dad to have a go at me and blame everyone else! By half time we were back in it following a goal from a corner and we battled away for the second half, trading breakaways, but were unable to sneak an equaliser.

As far as cricket goes, the boys decided they didn't - for various reasons - want to play for the same club this year ::) This is not proving to be such a bad thing as practice nights are now Monday and Tuesday....and both clubs have very nice bar facilities! It's important that a father supports his kids where sport is concerned and it's great to be watching rather than be involved in the running off the team.

Yet again it's been an age since i last wittered away in here - and much water has flowed under the bridge of life in the intervening period......most of which has been forgotten about!

Work wise it's manic at the moment - the period after half term is non-stop as so much is crammed into such a short period of time before the end of term (2nd July). The weather is becoming a real cause for concern - we have had no decent rainfall for about 9 months now and all the repairs we made on the winter pitches have failed to hold - will just have to try again when the kids go and hope for a wet July!

We finally closed the door on the footbal season today, playing a friendly against a local side. With the boys moving to 11 a side it was interesting to see how the new squad gelled......and i have to say we are really pleased with the group of boys we have. Before the heat took its toll we looked, dare I say it, very good! Even my youngest managed to rediscover his touch, scoring a cracker with his left after some great passing! But they've all played too much football this year - they need a rest from it - and so do we!

On the music front I've been buying far to many cd's (again) - mostly old stuff from my (distant) youth, but it's been interesting to receive a few tnms samplers from various people - all much appreciated and eye opening. I'm still not very adventurous - despite Oz's best efforts - but I'm getting there! I've also picked up the guitar semi seriously for the first time in God-knows how long....apologies to my family for that ;)

On tnms itself have had some cracking synch action recently with the usual suspects, and the usual share of bollocks has been spouted, on a regular basis.

Home life has been a bit of nightmare actually. Louise has injured her back - been off work for two weeks now and probably shouldn't go back next week, but she will ::) Eldest son Sam has been told he has Osgood-Sclatter disease - basically a severe 'growing pain' - affecting his knees, and making him even more of a grumpy git than usual! I'm in the wifes bad books for not taking time off work and basically having to do 'something' at work every day..... :-/

Thats all I can think of for now - I'll try and be more regular from now on!

I'm clearly not very good at keeping this page up to date - must do better.

Sadly, the reason I feel compelled to write now is that last week my father died. I've not been around much in the last 10 days or so, as I've begun to come to terms with the fact that he's not going to be there anymore. The funeral is this Wednesday and I'm dreading it :-/ I will be saying a few words - in fact I'll paste them in here at the end - and writing them yesterday was so unbelievably difficult. I'm really, really going to miss him.

I'm not one for posting threads about this sort of thing but hope you don't mind me mentioning this here - it's kinda cathartic.

Anyway, meet my Dad :)

Although this is a time of great sadness for us all: for my family, for Kate, and for his many friends gathered here today, it is also a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon a life well lived. My father

Just wanted to say a big thank you to those of you that have PM'd, phoned and spared a moment to send a thought or a prayer over the last 10 days or so - all your kind words and support have been a great help to me as I come to terms with the loss of my father. What a great bunch you all are :D

The funeral took place yesterday and went very well - as well as you'd hope a funeral to go anyway. We had a very private cremation, followed by a service of thanksgiving which was attended by so many of Dad's friends. There were some wonderful moments here. There were a number of prepared tributes - mine appears earlier in this thread (it went down very well I'm relieved to say) - after which the vicar asked if anyone would like to add anything. A succession of people stood up in the church and said some wonderful things about Dad that made us all laugh and cry, often at the same time! There were people who knew him from sport, from work and from his army days in WW2. It was probably the latter that made the biggest impact and none bigger than the fella who stood up and said, "You won't know me, but I was Gordons best man when he married in Egypt in 1945...." It was like day time tv! Sharp intakes of breath, and the vicar (as Jerry Springer!) saying, "Tell us more!"...which he did! Fantastic!

Frankly, life is a struggle at the moment - I feel like a someone has ripped a great chunk of my soul out.

And that is despite meeting up with the usual tnms footie crew at Old Trafford Saturday - highlights were Analog burbling incoherently on being introduced to Mrs Pudders, and the whole crowd trying to work out the Spanish translation for 'the referees a wanker' ;D

Driving up and back in a day wasn't great though - the main reason being that I had a 'private' job to do for a local cricket club on Sunday - which went belly up because the wrong bloody soil was delivered >:( Why can't people get things right!

I'm also not sleeping enough and drinking far too much!

Today was a bitter/sweet one - I occupied my fathers chair at his Army unit reunion. There were only 4 people there - a couple pulled out this morning - they are all getting so old! But it was brilliant hearing the stories from these fellas - the shit these blokes went through for you and me beggars belief....

So, I need to give myself a firm slap around the chops with a wet fish I reckon and stop wallowing in this mire of self pity.......or I could just have another beer... :-/

Tonight Louise and I popped down the pub for a couple of drinks...for the third night in a row!! Trust me on this, that is an amazing statistic! First time since BC - Before Children. We talked about life , death, football and....the way young women seem to wear incredibly short skirts these days :o

Talking football - Bookham Under11B's won their first game of the season, 7-2. we were pretty ordinary...but the oppo were poor! Luke scored the first - chipping the keeper from the edge of the box - bloody show off! He was a pain in the neck to thier defence all game - I was well pleased with him - but he has a very sore Achilles tonight.....so he's been getting to know a bag of frozen peas!

The Outlaws were around for lunch after the game...just loads of cheese and pate's, freshly baked bread, some Salamis...Red wine...incredibly unhealthy but who cares!

Watched a bit of the School rugby with my Father in Law - it was a beautiful day today down south - about 22C...I Think?

Oh, and Palace won!!

And tomorrow? Tomorrow I have NOTHING to do! Well, I have to sort out papers to do with Dad's stuff...but... I get a lie in!!! Hoo -bloody - rah!!

Been a bit more sensible with the booze - which is, err, sensible of me I guess! Mind you had a few on Saturday last when Louise and I went up to Shepherds Bush Empire to see KT Tunstall. We had a brilliant night out - we really should make the effort to do this thing more often as a couple but it seems so hard to find the time to be together these days. KT was great - she certainly can sing and the sell out audience lapped it up. We had to duck out before the encore but various texts and phone calls to the tnms information service (Analog) let us know what songs would be played. As there was nothing there we desperately wanted to hear we took the gentle option and strolled back to the tube and even managed to catch the last but one train back from Victoria.

Got a few days off now - shame the weathers been crap - but caught up with some more of the paperwork to do with Dad's estate and have tried to update the roio list...not very good at keeping up to speed with that one! Even went bowling this morning :o

About to do some online shopping for a router and hard drive as well.......ho hum!

Lifes been a bit hectic of late - nothing new there then as anyone with a wife and two young kids will confirm!

Almost saw Beardy's band the other night, but cruel fate intervened and I had to leave before they hit the stage - well the part of the stage that wasn't covered by Dan's drumkit, what a wopper! :o Still, managed to have a few beers before hand with some of the Southern Softies and mostly put the world to rights at the same time :D

Work is mad - normally this time of year I'm catching up on 6 months of paper work (Health and Safety, records, budget, nothing important ::) ) stuff I don't have time to do during the rest of the year. But the weather is totally apex over base, to the point where today I cut the cricket square! 23rd of bleeding November and I'm still having to cut it once a week - absolutely crazy.

Mind you I had an easy day yesterday at a seminar, listening to people like Keith Kent, ex Man U, now Twickenham groundsman, telling us how to do our jobs properly! Thanks mate....how many games a year do you have now?

Bollocked the bank for losing our account opening documentation for my Dad's Executors account.....they eventually found it after a little 'encouragement' from me. On the plus side had a chat with Analog on the old telling bone which was great as ever...and picked up the Barclay James Harvest 5 disc Anthology as well. Listening to that now, wonderfully dated, loads of Mellotrons, I'm in prog heaven!

Tomorrow i have to go and swear at a solicitor, all part of the Probate process for Dad's will :-/ This is all really becoming quite stressful now....but hopefully we are nearing a conclusion. On Wednesday i have to take a trip to the Family Records Centre in Islington to get some Brith and Marriage certificates that are needed for....yes you've guessed it, my Dad's will.... ::) Haven't been there for a while - I used to practically live there when I was researching my family tree, something I will pick up again someday i hope. However once that is out of the way it's over to Shepherds Bush for a mini tnms gathering at the Porcupine Tree gig. I say 'mini' but there's quite a crowd attending now - should be great night!

I really have had enough of this year to be honest - can't wait for Christmas and the New Year. We are spending a quiet Christmas day, just the four of us, and I can't wait. For years Louise and I have not really got each other presents, preferring to spend our money on the kids. This year that has changed.....just need to decide what to get her now! A new flute maybe....we'll see! The boys are also very into their music so Luke is gettng some effects for his electric, and Sam a Yamaha keyboard. I have no idea what I may be getting, but it may be a guitar off some description, which would be nice!

Frankly, it's the end of a shit week all round - with one major exception! Finally sold my Dad's house, only for the fecking useless solicitors to transfer the wrong amount into the account, absolute tossers the lot of them. Found out a mate wasn't too well and then on Tuesday that Louises Dad has bowel cancer. Wednesday they did the usual pre-op medical check and discovered he'd had a mild heart attack recently (He'd no idea!) and that his heart is enlarged and his lungs not functioning efficiently. Bottom line is he has to have an op in two weeks and they are not making positive noises about his chances. Louise's sister is due to get married in April as well so basically it's shitsville around here at the moment.

The one good thing was that I won a pair of tickets to see David Gilmour next Tuesday - still hoping Lou will come with me but suspect she will give it a miss in the end - she's stressed beyond belief at the moment.

Musically, been receiving loads and loads of stuff in the post and it will take an age to get around to listening to it all. Currently listening to:

Well, reading through my last post I'm glad to say there are a few positives to report. The very good mate has had very good news and, although not entirely out of the woods things are looking far better.

Louises Dad has been told that perhaps they have been a bit negative in their approach - so thats looking a little better as well.

Sadly, Louise was suffering from a really nasty Gastric Flu bug and had to give David Gilmour a miss last week - in the end the spare ticket went to Rascal and he and I had a great night out at the Mermaid Theatre. It was a real treat to see DG in such an intimate venue - 6 rows from the front of a 600 seat hall is something else I can assure you! Although we got a truncated set that night I'm lucky enough to have tickets for the Royal Albert Hall shows in May - and having seen the full set he is playing I am really looking forward to it!

Thanks for the kind comments, pm's etc from various folk - all much appreciated....so whats occuring?

Well first off, Louises Dad had his op on Monday and came through it very well. He was quite chirpy today by all accounts - just waiting on the news of how successful they think it's been.....so our thoughts and prayers are with him at the moment.

It's actually been a completely manic week....Saturday saw another bloody defeat for Luke's footie team - and a bit of argie bargee on the touchline after our linesman flagged one of the oppo's kids offside, (and he was well off). The kids shouts out, "who was off?", "you son" says the linesman, "feck you" says the kid and sticks two fingers up! The linesman very calmy points this out to the ref - a 14 year old kid doing his second game ever! - and all hell breaks loose!! The oppo manager wades in and threatens to deck our man......and while all this was going on we concede another goal! All reported to the league so we'll all be off to a disciplinary hearing now....can't wait!

Wednesday Luke's school played the district cup final - he'd scored both goals in the semi-final 2-1 victory - but we lost 2-0 and calamity...having won a penalty he saw his spot kick saved by the keeper. Inconsolable all the way to the sweet shop and a triple pack of Cadbury's Cream Eggs!

Thursday he was playing in the District Rugby tournament and was in the team finishing 2nd, tomorrow he is running in the District Cross Country and Saturday he's playing in the District Schools 7-a-side tournament. Im kinda going off the word District!

Meanwhile number one son has had to be kitted out for his first D of E expedition so earlier this evening it was a half hour of madness in Millets and Dad

Yet again it's been an age - and I've hardly been on tnms the last few weeks (well not up to my usual 'obsessive' levels anyway!

First, Luke insists that I point out that he came 7th, out of 94, in the X-Country and that the school won the District Football Tournament, playing 7 games, winning 5 and drawing 2. So I have - and yes he did well! This is countered by the fact that he has SAT's next week and he isn't doing a blind bit of work towards them - despite seeing his elder brother, who has them this week, in a complete tizzy every morning - oh well!

Work is just bloody silly at the moment - I thought the days of actually having to do physical work were long gone, being the boss and all that.....wrong! I'm totally cream crackered! On the plus side the wickets are playing fantastically well - loads of nice comments - and the school are unbeaten. Last week one lad made 149 not out then took a hat-trick, enough to get him in the Times and quite right to!

This week saw the posting out of cheques to the benificiaries of my Dad's will - it's been my job to sort all that out. At times a nightmare but now it's almost sorted I'm kinda going to miss the weekly argument with the solicitor! We don't own a house anymore, living in tied property so our legacy is very important - most of it is heading off-shore as I speak! - but Dad, unbeknownst to him - has treated me to a rather nice audio/visual set up for the front room. Mrs Pudders is not that impressed but.......tough!

There is bad news though - and the real reason I've not been around much. Louise's Dad looks like he has secondary cancer in his spine - a scan will check this on Tuesday. This is terrible deja vu for me because that's what finally took my Mum - we can only hope it's not but, to be honest, it looks bad. Lou is beside herself and this, 2 weeks after her sisters wedding when we all had such a brilliant time together as a family, is a real blow.

Thanks, once again, for the support folks - I've said it before and I'll say it again - tnms is one special place! Louise really appreciates it (ok she still thinks we're all nuts, but thats beside the point!).

So.....I've spent a good part of the weekend wiring together the new Pudders audio/visual entertainment system. All went reasonably well apart from not checking the volume on the AV Receiver before powering it up - I'll be writing to the local paper to apologise to Surrey later this week!

The only down side has been the increase in the number of remotes to be left lying around...and the size of some of the destruction manuals ;) Oh and that fecking layer change in the R30 DVD is still there, despite the DVD player being 4 times the price of my old one......

Thanks, once again, for the support folks - I've said it before and I'll say it again - tnms is one special place! Louise really appreciates it (ok she still thinks we're all nuts, but thats beside the point!).

So.....I've spent a good part of the weekend wiring together the new Pudders audio/visual entertainment system. All went reasonably well apart from not checking the volume on the AV Receiver before powering it up - I'll be writing to the local paper to apologise to Surrey later this week!

The only down side has been the increase in the number of remotes to be left lying around...and the size of some of the destruction manuals ;) Oh and that fecking layer change in the R30 DVD is still there, despite the DVD player being 4 times the price of my old one......

DVD player:Denon 1920. Plays just about every format of disc out there, including both SACD and DVD-A. Also has an HDMI output...

AV Receiver:Yamaha RX-V100D. This is the one item that changed frequently during the selection process - was going for a Denon, then a more expensive Yamaha, then this one went on offer just prior to some really good reviews appearing and I snaffled it - nice to have the DAB as well.

Speakers:KEF 2005.2 A 5.1 system including a KEF PSW2010 powered sub-woofer.

Cables: Various QED stuff - after a great deal of haggling along the lines of "No, I'm not paying

When I was a kid I used to be able to play 'Child In Time' on my Dad's music centre, at full volume, in the time it took Mum to drive down to the station and pick him up from work - I wasn't 'allowed' anywhere near it usually ;)

Christ it's almost word association again - Music Centre = Child In Time!

There is always a danger that high expectations can lead to great disappointment when attending a gig.....what am I talking about this was a stunning evening!

I should mention that I had 'other' duties on the day due to my David Gilmour Blog membership. A few of us wanted to thank the Features Editor of the site and various gifts were organised, including a Liverpool FC shirt which I had to deliver to Guy Pratt, David's bass player, prior to this show. Those of you who were there in the pub beforehand will know how close it all went to going pear shaped but, in the end I DID get to meet Guy and hand over the stuff - and what a thoroughly nice guy he is too!

Anyway, the gig! The venue is not one of my favourites I must say, but on this occasion we had very good seats in the stalls - thanks to BaldiePete and our ticket swap - and the sound through out was excellant. The show opened up with the 'Breathe/Time/Breathe(reprise)' sequence from DSOTM, a great opening. This was followed by the whole of DG's new On An Island album. The title track was stunning, with David Crosby and Graham Nash providing backing vocals. Other guest appearances included Robert Wyatt on cornet for 'Then I Close My Eyes', Crosby & Nash again for 'The Blue' and David Gilmour on Sax for 'Red Sky At Night'!

I really love the new album and it transferred to the live environment very well - 'Take A Breath' and 'Smile' being particular standouts.

Following a 20 minute break the second half began with the new arrangement of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' that Rascal and I had witnessed at the Mermaid a few months earlier - but with a road hardened band behind it this was just light years better than that night, helped yet again by the addition of messrs Crosby & Nash. This was followed by the 'song I really want to hear tonight', 'Wot's.....Uh, The Deal?' Originally on the Obscured By Clouds soundtrack album, this is an undiscovered Floyd gem, beautifully delivered. Three Division Bell tracks followed before the ultimate Floydian masterpiece, 'Echoes' (22mins 37 seconds according to Louise - 'He could have played 4 decent songs in that time'....women eh?! ). IT WAS AWESOME!! Sorry, but it was!

Encores kicked off with 'Wish You Were Here', then an acapella version of 'Find The Cost Of Freedom' a Stephen Stills song, another beautifull rendition. Then came the final guest appearance of the night as David Bowie appeared (Mrs Pudders thought she had died and gone to heaven at this point ::) ), to sing 'Arnold Layne', and I don't care what others that weren't there might say, it worked! Bowie also sang the Roger parts of the last song of the night, 'Comfortably Numb'...the guitar solo was alright as well!

Overall, it was a fantastic night out. Gilmour has a unique sound/technique which seems to draw you right into the music and send shivers down your spine. Highlight?, probably the 'jangly' guitar bit in 'Echoes' - can't wait for the DVD!

10/10

Set List:

First Half:Breathe/Time/Breathe (Reprise)CastellorizonOn An IslandThe BlueRed Sky At NightThis HeavenThen I Close My EyesSmileTake A BreathA Pocketful Of StonesWhere We Start.

Second half:Shine On You Crazy DiamondWot's Uh the DealWearing The Inside OutComing Back To LifeHigh HopesEchoes.

Encores: Wish You Were HereFind The Cost Of Freedom Arnold Layne Comfortably Numb

It was indeed a good night and it was good to see you and your better half in the pub before hand.

Funny but the RAH is one of my favorite (large) venues. I had a seat right at e top but in the middle. Great view and sound. The laser show for Comfortably Numb was below us! Looking at the band through the lasers was amazing.

Bowie singing Arnold Layne!!! You lucky, lucky fecker. Is there a boot of this show because I have to hear this.

Michael - sorry not paying attention again! Must be is the answer! Now i have the D/L pc back on line I'll have a look ;)

Tomorrow is the 90th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme. I wonder how important it is to remember this? On that first day some 60,000 Commonwealth troops became casualty statistics, of those nearly 20,000 died. We are sadly fond here on tnms of creating National divisions, mostly light hearted I'll grant you but, in 1916 the English, the Irish, the Scots and the Welsh fought and died, side by side. It's a sobering thought. Thousands of men, trusting blindly in their leaders' promises that the wire would be cut, that no defenders would be left alive, marched to their doom. should we remember this...what do you think?

Luke pays cricket for Ashtead - a side, like many others, dominated by Independant School's kids. Now, I have no great problem with that, after all I was such a child, I work at such a school and basically many of them are, at least technically, better cricketers....but then they would be wouldn't they? Anyway, Luke has earnt his place in the team and is doing ok....but how his attitude has changed!

4 weeks ago he went out to bat at 4, faced two balls with ease, watched from the other end for the duration of the next over and seemed not a jot concerned that there was a bowling change for the next over - how was he to know it was County U11 bowler! I'm not sure he ever saw the ball to be honest and the stumps went flying!

Suffice to say bat and one glove - he couldn't get the other one off in time! - arrived over the boundary somewhat ahead of the batsmen, tears flowed freely and it was everyones fault but his own. The lad was devestated.......

Tonight he played in the District Cup final, by pure fluke it meant that he got to play on the First Team square here at St. John's! A great moment for him (so he told me!). Fielding first he didn't get a bowl but he did take a very good catch! Batting at 7 he had to face another County bowler, little leg spinner, a joy to watch, unless your son is facing him! the lad played him so well and then....drawn into a shot he got one that turned and bounced and he top edged to slip.....5 balls faced, out for a duck! Shit I though.........here we go again! But no.... he walked calmly to the pavilion, acknowledged the polite applause on the way in, got changed, and walked back out to where we were sitting on the boundary. "Hard luck mate" says Dad. "I should have left it Dad, you told me it would bounce!! Can I have a burger?"

Luke pays cricket for Ashtead - a side, like many others, dominated by Independant School's kids. Now, I have no great problem with that, after all I was such a child, I work at such a school and basically many of them are, at least technically, better cricketers....but then they would be wouldn't they? Anyway, Luke has earnt his place in the team and is doing ok....but how his attitude has changed!

4 weeks ago he went out to bat at 4, faced two balls with ease, watched from the other end for the duration of the next over and seemed not a jot concerned that there was a bowling change for the next over - how was he to know it was County U11 bowler! I'm not sure he ever saw the ball to be honest and the stumps went flying!

Suffice to say bat and one glove - he couldn't get the other one off in time! - arrived over the boundary somewhat ahead of the batsmen, tears flowed freely and it was everyones fault but his own. The lad was devestated.......

Tonight he played in the District Cup final, by pure fluke it meant that he got to play on the First Team square here at St. John's! A great moment for him (so he told me!). Fielding first he didn't get a bowl but he did take a very good catch! Batting at 7 he had to face another County bowler, little leg spinner, a joy to watch, unless your son is facing him! the lad played him so well and then....drawn into a shot he got one that turned and bounced and he top edged to slip.....5 balls faced, out for a duck! Shit I though.........here we go again! But no.... he walked calmly to the pavilion, acknowledged the polite applause on the way in, got changed, and walked back out to where we were sitting on the boundary. "Hard luck mate" says Dad. "I should have left it Dad, you told me it would bounce!! Can I have a burger?"

Priceless :)

Priceles indeed mate ;D, hope he sticks at it and goes far :D

Hoping to go see my lil bro (9) play midfeild for the local footie team soon :), not as proud as a parent but not far off!

Off to watch my youngest son play at The Oval tomorrow................ok it's in a Primary schools tournament but it's still The Oval! For some reason the only thing he remembers about the last time we were there is meeting up with Bez - must have left a lasting impression matey ;)

Off to watch my youngest son play at The Oval tomorrow................ok it's in a Primary schools tournament but it's still The Oval! For some reason the only thing he remembers about the last time we were there is meeting up with Bez - must have left a lasting impression matey ;)

Top stuff, tell him meeting him is the only thing I remember about that day as well....its amazing the facination the young have with dribbling fools ::)

Grab a seat, pour yourself a beer and settle down folks, it's story time ;)

Today I am officially a 'cool' Dad! Two boys, aged 13 and 11, went to their first 'proper' gig last night and, like me all those years ago, they are well and truly hooked! So, BIG thanks to a very good mate who helped secure 4 top seats for the show, and the heads up on the timing from the night before, certainly made things a lot easier! Cheers pal ;)

So, Wembley Arena, last visit September 2004 for some Canadian band, and we arrive after a leisurely 1 hour drive at about 6.15. Tickets say 'Doors 5.30, show starts 6.30', but as we all know that ain't gonna happen ::) Bloody hell, they've turned it around!! Yep, the main entrance now faces the car park and as we find when we get in the stage is now the other end, the old place has had a lick of paint, and a general spruce up. It's still a dog of a venue, but maybe not quite so much of a mongrel as before.

The boys are a bit dumbstruck by the whole thing and spend most of the time before the first band comes on just staring at the stage and taking in the slowly building atmosphere. Lou and I are just hoping they can last out until whatever stupid o'clock Axl decides to grace us with his presence.

First up, at 7.15, it's Sebastian Bach. The former Skid Row frontman has lost nothing of his arrogant 'feck you' attitude, continually throwing his toys out of the pram at any excuse - usually at some roadie. The poor fecker who kept bringing on the acoustic guitar only for Seb to change the set list...again...must have been particulary hacked off, and then he gets a bollocking because he forgets to bring it on when they finally get around to playing the song! A tosser of the highest order, he bawled out the bass player when his amp went tits up and the guitarist for invading his space, "the fecking stage is fecking big enough, feck off". Not big enough for your over inflated ego Sebastian old boy ;) Musically, well, loads of old Skid Row stuff some of which, rather embarrasingly, I remembered, including '18 And Life', 'Here I Am' and 'Monkey Business'. Frankly an hour of this was too much ::)

4/10

Next up, Bullet For My Valentine. I was dreading this, Louise was fumbling for the earplugs but the kids were well up for it! They knew every damn song it seemed and I have to admit that I quite liked some of it - mainly the parts where they weren't 'singing' ::) Unlike Seb before, they did at least have a pretty good sound. And they can certainly play. Some of the other younger members of the audience were well into them - one young (14?) girl just in front of us was going apeshit the whole time whilst her mother sat there playing a game on her mobile, I kid you not! Ignoring the fact that the Pudders parents abandoned their children half way through the set and headed for the bar, considerably better than that which had gone before.

6/10

I suppose on past history coming on stage at 10.25 was pretty good for G'n'R really. Just minutes before it was all starting to get a bit restless but as the lights went down and they launched into Welcome To The Jungle all was, almost, forgiven. Axl has gathered a pretty good band of journey man musicians around him who certainly delivered the goods, and in Robin Finck he's hired a top man - I thought he was outstanding all night - fecking wierd looking, yeah, but outstanding! Almost from the start something didn't quite feel right though, and Axl was off stage more than on it and seemed to me to be struggling at times, not working the stage as I had expected. In all honesty though there wasn't a duff song all night, though I'm no great fan. Mr Brownstone, Knockin' On Heavens Door, Live And Let Die and Sweet Child Of Mine were good, Patience maybe less so. Highlight? Probably You Could Be Mine and a brilliant November Rain. By the time we got to Nightrain Axl was clearly buggered, disappearing halfway through the set to be replaced by bloody Sebastian Bach again >:(....who in fairness did a pretty decent job of finishing that song and then covering the whole of Paradise City. As the latter was closing we primed the kids for a quick getaway, feeling sure, correctly as it turned out, that that was to be it for the night.

Of course we all now know that Axl and the band played an acoustic gig at some London club at 4am and was partying until 10am, no wonder he wasn't up to his day job...though of course we were honestly relieved for the truncated set, finishing as it did at just after midnight, as the kids were knackered! Talking of the kids they had an absolute ball, Luke was hysterically funny, air guitaring better than Analog on a Friday night synch, Sam taking the more studious 'CQ' approach (and recording most of November Rainon my mobile). Louise actually quite enjoyed the G'n'R set (see below) and to be honest so did I! Nevertheless it was flawed show so.....

7/10

EXTRA!

Louise's review ;)

Sebastian Bach: God, he loves himself doesn't he, screaming all the time, the only word I can make out is 'feck' 1/10

Bullet....: Utterly, utterly dreadful! 0/10

G'n'R: They were quite good, thought November Rain was really good.....but what on earth were they all wearing? 8/10 (Would have got more if Ginger Nut had stayed on stage for longer than 2 minute spells).

I secretly hope my lad turns out to be a serious metalhead. So far so good. As I've said before James loves his WWE wrestling and most of the music to that is ROCK. His favourite track at the moment is Motorhead's Triple H / The Game entry music. Its really quite heavy. 8-)

As long as he doesn't discover dance music. If ever that happens I'll have to disown him, and then Luke can move in. And if he misses his mum she can move in too...... ;) ;D ;D

Good stuff mate, nice 1st steps on the path to being a cool dad.... :)

Some of the mountains still to climb (in no particular order) :

Being the responsible adult for your kid's mates - because their parents are significantly lower on the cool dad ladder1st trip to London / gig un-accompanied1st real girlfriend1st holiday without parents1st driving lesson1st girlfriend staying over1st kid asking to go to a gig with you, rather than them asking you to go with them

A couple of potential pitfalls along the way :

Sex, condoms and unwanted pregnacy discussionsRemaining a cool dad when un-cool mum is stressing about the list aboveHaircuts !Moaning / nagging about anything, from keeping rooms tidy to borrowing CDs and not putting them back or leaving them lying around not in protective covers (this last one is very difficult, especially as you're a child of the vinyl generation)Not becomming too friendly with kid's mates, hello is OK too much more can be considered "gay"Not disapproving of "dickhead" mates, ther'll be plenty of them through the years

Just about summed up my experience of the night before although Axl was very animated and didn't stop running about. the only time he was off stage from 10.40pm until 1.10am was when he was changing outfits...guess he's getting on a bit so 2 night on the trot would be difficult!

Glad you sons enjoyed the experience. i took my daughter to the last ever Busted concert at Wembley when she was 7. She was absolutely amazed by the whole experience...must say they were much better than the Westlife one she dragged me to the following year...during which I spent the whole time smirking at women of a certain age screaming at them..

Great review Neil; I saw Gn'R at Wembley (the Stadium) in 1991, and Skid Row supported - they were shyte then too! Eerily enough Nine Inch Nails were first on the bill too... Great review though, and what a special night for the kids first gig - and for you two :)

I can't wait to take my firstborn (whenever that may happen!) along to Hawkwind's 75th Anniversary Technicolour Dream at The Cartoon in Croydon :D ;)

A mate of mine went to the middle-of-the-night acoustic show, and took this photo (check out the colour of Axl :o).

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/Neillwith2Ls/axl.jpg)

She also said that Seb Bach (also there) was a complete and utter egotistical tosser, and drunkenly told him this on no less than 3 occasions ;D

I'm off on holiday from Friday and boy do I need the break :-/ I'm completely brain dead - even forgot that I was having Sky HD fitted today ::)

The HD is another 'present' from my late father - not sure he'd understand what it is, let alone approve but, hopefully he will forgive me :). First thoughts on it are that it's pretty much the same as my old Sky digital box, but with more whistles and bells. Sky+ will be fun to play with and, of course, the quality of picture on the few HD channels is stunning! I do have one or two reservations though - the actual box runs pretty hot and is quite noisy, though a little repositioning seems to have reduced the heat problem a bit. And the volume of some of the channels is extremely low - have to turn the TV volume almost to maximum and the AV (surround) amp up to -20 to get a decent sound on movies. Googling around there are a few mentions of similar problems but as I'm new to it all I'll see how things pan out - I'm sure I'll get used to it.

So, one more day of work......some paper work to tidy up, and not a lot else to be honest, shame eh! ;)

Great review Neil; I saw Gn'R at Wembley (the Stadium) in 1991, and Skid Row supported - they were shyte then too! Eerily enough Nine Inch Nails were first on the bill too... Great review though, and what a special night for the kids first gig - and for you two :)

I can't wait to take my firstborn (whenever that may happen!) along to Hawkwind's 75th Anniversary Technicolour Dream at The Cartoon in Croydon :D ;)

A mate of mine went to the middle-of-the-night acoustic show, and took this photo (check out the colour of Axl :o).

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/Neillwith2Ls/axl.jpg)

She also said that Seb Bach (also there) was a complete and utter egotistical tosser, and drunkenly told him this on no less than 3 occasions ;D

To say the kids enjoyed it would be a classic understatement - Lou and I were having a ball just watching their reactions.

The time slips by very quickly but you still feel like some things around you have ground to a halt.

The first anniversary of Dad's passing was dreadful. If it wasn't for the fact that I was able to draw strength from my own direct family (Mrs Lyth and Aimee) then I don't know how I would have dealt with it.

Hopefully, you'll be able to draw the same kind of thing from Louise and the boys. I'm sure that you will..

A year ago on the 18th September my father died. The year has gone incredibly slowly yet, last night, it seemed like it was only yesterday.....

Still lovin' you ;)

I remember coming to visit you only a few weeks after your dad passed away. I was very impressed and greatful that you still wanted me to come, and that both you and Lou took your time to make me feel welcome during that hard time...

Now, there's no denying that I have grown to love this band over the last couple of years - thanks entirely to CQ's compilation, a little masterpiece! The back catalogue has been collected, the change in direction and style accepted but, still, there's been a problem. I'd seen the band twice before tonights gig - at the Astoria at the beginning of the Deadwing tour and Shepherds Bush at the end of the same tour. Both gigs, for me anyway, were plagued by a shit live sound (and in the case of the latter, a lacklustre set list). More frustratingly was the fact that others, at different venues, claimed excellant sound! The result of all that was I approached this performance with a certain amount of trepidation and a feeling that this was the bands last chance - at least in the live setting. Would they deliver??

Re-wind to the now traditional pre-gig meet at the Montague Pyke.....arrived at a decent hour, along with Cleggy, to find that Oz and AlexJ had been there since the day before ;) Shortly followed by Bez and Sam, then various others: Rascal, Maz (at last!!) and Dave Lack, Stu Clark...live, face to face talking of bollocks ensued and gradually the world was put to rights. I seem to remember this was mainly the sun's fault, according to Stu....... ;D Q and Carrie were running late but managed to make it for a swift beer before the short trek - 3 minutes eh Bez? ;) - up to the Astoria.

We managed to miss the support and, as Bez mentioned in his review, we had to use a few subtle stray jabs to work ourselves into a decent position - but good to see the venue full to almost bursting point (position to toilet, back to position, 15 minutes :-/ ).

PT were on stage spot on the expected 8.15 and played all new material in a first half of almost an hour. Writing this 24 hours later I cannot remember much about it to be honest, but suffice to say it was more than interesting, with the opener, the 'long one' and the last piece all worthy of mention. Only one of the 6 or 7 tracks played left me a little unmoved, but there was enough there to make me look forward to the new album.

A five minute break followed before the band launched into the more familiar material and, I have to say, from this punters point of view, they finally delivered! The sound, which had been 'ok' for the first set, seemed to have reached new heights as 'Open Car' lauched a second set that leaned heavily on the Deadwing and In Absentia albums. The guitars of Wilson and Wesley cut through the underlying bass of Colin Edwin in just the way it's supposed to, vocals were clear and delivered with subconscious ease, all underpinned by Gavin Harrisons' awesome drumming. The set was well thought out, well paced and well delivered with my highlights being the aforementioned 'Open Car', 'Arriving Somewhere.....' and '.3' - but nothing failed to hit the mark. A good choice to finish on with 'Trains' and the double whammy of 'Halo' and 'Blackest Eyes'as the encore.

The band looked the most relaxed I have seen and the audience were VERY animated - a terrific response from the usually 'dull' London crowd ::) Special mention for John Wesley - love that mans voice and great to see his guitar taking on a more important role.

Overall, a vast improvement on previous visits to the Porcupine Tree. I've been banging on all day about how good it was so I'll give it a .....

8.5/10

PS: Youngest Pudders would like to request that next time a venue is chosen that allows sub-teenages to attend ;)

same set in Manchester tonight... of the first set for me ... track 3 was the sensational one... agree with Pudders regarding the second half.... tremendous, and they promised to come back next March after the new material is released! 8-)

I realised whilst watching 'Arriving Somewhere....', the new Porcupine Tree DVD, last night that I had forgotten to mention Richard Barbieri in my gushing review above! :o I was thinking how unusual it is these days to have a keyboard player in his style - you can still hear the soundscapes of Japan in there and it is obviously an essential part of the PT sound. He's so damned relaxed you'd think he was puting the kettle on some of the time, rather than tweaking a knob! ;)

It's been a while since I enjoyed a gig as much as last weeks PT show so, well done chaps and keep up the good work!

I realised whilst watching 'Arriving Somewhere....', the new Porcupine Tree DVD, last night that I had forgotten to mention Richard Barbieri in my gushing review above! :o I was thinking how unusual it is these days to have a keyboard player in his style - you can still hear the soundscapes of Japan in there and it is obviously an essential part of the PT sound. He's so damned relaxed you'd think he was puting the kettle on some of the time, rather than tweaking a knob! ;)

:)

I was discussing Barbieri with my travelling and gig-going companion Stuart on the way back from the Manchester gig and we were saying much the same thing.

His role in the band is key in providing atmosphere and character and it's so good to see a keyboard player who's prepared to make his equal contribution the whole thing and not trying to be a flash bastard.

Disillusionment is s terrible thing when it gets it's claws into you. Currently I'm thoroughly disillusioned with the mad world that is (was?) tnms. A proliferation of sexual not-so-much-innuendo-but-in-your-face, continual effing and blinding, and slagging off of bands for the sake of it has changed the public (forum) face of the site beyond recognition.

I was posting in a Barclay James Harvest forum the other week when one of the other posters mentioned that they really liked Rush. Great I thought, I'll recommend they try out tnms.....but then I remembered that this particular person has just turned 13 and I found myself wondering if I should really be recommending this site to such a young person :-/

Now I may be over-reacting, but isn't it sad that I should even think that way?

Disillusionment is s terrible thing when it gets it's claws into you. Currently I'm thoroughly disillusioned with the mad world that is (was?) tnms. A proliferation of sexual not-so-much-innuendo-but-in-your-face

I know I've been guilty of that one and I'll keep innuendo in the basement from here in.

Self-moderation is important but when that fails, is it not the responsibility of the mods to keep the forum clean? Why else do we have them?

I know I've been guilty of that one and I'll keep innuendo in the basement from here in.

Self-moderation is important but when that fails, is it not the responsibility of the mods to keep the forum clean? Why else do we have them?

So have I :-/

and you are right that the Mods have a responsibility to keep the forum clean - though it is not our only duty. I'm afraid though that if I was to edit all the posts I thought were unsuitable you would end up with a very disjointed thread and a very unpopular Mod........

It does seem a popular misconception that the Mods spend most of their time going around the board deleting threads and posts at will when it could be argued, as you are doing that the truth is we probably don't do it enough!

And the reason we don't do it is that we want tnms to live and breathe, not to be the subject of ruthless pruning and editorial control. But for that to work the members have to show responsibility, be more respectful and just think a little before typing.

Disillusionment is s terrible thing when it gets it's claws into you. Currently I'm thoroughly disillusioned with the mad world that is (was?) tnms. A proliferation of sexual not-so-much-innuendo-but-in-your-face, continual effing and blinding, and slagging off of bands for the sake of it has changed the public (forum) face of the site beyond recognition.

I was posting in a Barclay James Harvest forum the other week when one of the other posters mentioned that they really liked Rush. Great I thought, I'll recommend they try out tnms.....but then I remembered that this particular person has just turned 13 and I found myself wondering if I should really be recommending this site to such a young person :-/

Now I may be over-reacting, but isn't it sad that I should even think that way?

Any particular threads mate ?

As you know I've been dis-illusioned as well over the past couple of months.

The charge of being a "killjoy mod" has been levelled at me on more than one occasion, that in itself doesn't bother me, its more the causes that need moderating that are the source of my malaise...

Disillusionment is s terrible thing when it gets it's claws into you. Currently I'm thoroughly disillusioned with the mad world that is (was?) tnms. A proliferation of sexual not-so-much-innuendo-but-in-your-face, continual effing and blinding, and slagging off of bands for the sake of it has changed the public (forum) face of the site beyond recognition.

:)

Totally agree Neil.

There seems to be a rather disturbing and nasty sense of cynicism pervading a lot of threads in recent times as opposed to the generally good-natured and light hearted (even if there was plenty of p**s-taking) banter and - more importantly - discussion that used to make this place so good to be at.

I still like to come here and see what's going on but - as Kevin said earlier - it's a shame how things are getting around here...

Since this subject has been brought up...it's nearly impossible to know where to draw the line. But the line has to be drawn somewhere anyway...and that's where the admins/mods have to "do their thing" and say where that line is. And I do understand that you won't be popular if you're always the party-pooper. But it's the same thing with children, if you don't tell them to stop when it's enough, they won't know when it is... ;)

To be honest, I don't think the bollocks talkers (including myself) will think it's any fun when they we are alone on this forum because all the others have left. If I have offended someone, I want them to tell me. Otherwise I'll never know I've offended them, will I? And if I don't know, I can't do anything about it, can I?

This post is definitely not meant to be personal...if it is, I apologise. I think the mods are doing a mighty fine job.

Is that not a problem with TNMS - it has secret forums that new members don't even know exist. But hey, lets not form any cliques or anything.

It is a bit difficult to break in to the holy circle of regulars, but hey, that's life and human nature. I hoped when I went to Crewe that I would meet loads of the posters I see on the site, but obviously they were busy catching up with old friends that they rarely see. I think that's what Donna Halper's bit was for. Have a drink and a chat and we'll get through this together. I haven't seen too many worrying elements here as yet (excluding maybe the odd reference unsuitable for juniors), but this is essentially a Rush site with various distracting sideshows to while away the periods between albums & tours. We had better get used to that pretty soon. Not looking forward to the Rush Retire thread at all.

The thing is it has language/pics that some people may find offensive, and that's why it's "hidden"....

As far as I know, anyone can get a password to get in.....(at their own risk) ;D

First - apologies to Neil for hijacking his thread.

Obviously, forming a clique is not the purpose of the basement but it is a consequence.

In the old forum (pre Xmas 2005) the Basement was there at the bottom of the list of forums and was password protected. Everyone knew it was there and could ask for the password from a mod or admin. Now, it is hidden completely unless the member asks to have it activated. A new member would not even know that it exists except by finding a reference to it in a post in the public forums.

My own opinion is that the old system was better than the current system but ideally it should be completely out in the open and be a public forum. There may be a case for it not being accessible by guests but even then they should know that it exists.

Obviously, forming a clique is not the purpose of the basement but it is a consequence.

In the old forum (pre Xmas 2005) the Basement was there at the bottom of the list of forums and was password protected. Everyone knew it was there and could ask for the password from a mod or admin. Now, it is hidden completely unless the member asks to have it activated. A new member would not even know that it exists except by finding a reference to it in a post in the public forums.

My own opinion is that the old system was better than the current system but ideally it should be completely out in the open and be a public forum. There may be a case for it not being accessible by guests but even then they should know that it exists.

I agree

Don't know why it is hidden in the new version....my guess is that's it's a technical thing, that all password protected areas are hidden from those without access...(but that's just a guess..)

Obviously, forming a clique is not the purpose of the basement but it is a consequence.

In the old forum (pre Xmas 2005) the Basement was there at the bottom of the list of forums and was password protected. Everyone knew it was there and could ask for the password from a mod or admin. Now, it is hidden completely unless the member asks to have it activated. A new member would not even know that it exists except by finding a reference to it in a post in the public forums.

My own opinion is that the old system was better than the current system but ideally it should be completely out in the open and be a public forum. There may be a case for it not being accessible by guests but even then they should know that it exists.

I have no idea why people can't see it but will ask Stewart and get back to you.

Personally I think the Basement was good fun for about 3 months after it was created, but has long since run its course. I wouldn't mind if it was canned altogether. Its a pain in the arse to moderate, I can tell you.

I have no idea why people can't see it but will ask Stewart and get back to you.

Personally I think the Basement was good fun for about 3 months after it was created, but has long since run its course. I wouldn't mind if it was canned altogether. Its a pain in the arse to moderate, I can tell you.

It's mentioned here (http://www.t-n-m-s.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1135772663/0#8) when Stew first announced the new forum.

I wish that this might continue in the near future, as threads that I reply to on this site, do have a habit of grinding to a halt. I just didn't get Neph's point.

I think Neph might be referring to the fact that there are some forums which are separate to the main ones that you get as a new member. There is the Basement for one - a forum where 'adult' topics are discussed. Ask any admin for access if you are interested. It's not everyone's cup of tea so they haven't asked for access and I think that's what he meant when he said, 'they do serve a purpose even if those not involved don't seem to think so.'

I think Neph might be referring to the fact that there are some forums which are separate to the main ones that you get as a new member. There is the Basement for one - a forum where 'adult' topics are discussed. Ask any admin for access if you are interested. It's not everyone's cup of tea so they haven't asked for access and I think that's what he meant when he said, 'they do serve a purpose even if those not involved don't seem to think so.'

Oh fantastically unscrambled. Is that what he meant? I generally don't drink tea and hate to think of myself as an adult, but take me bound and gagged to the basement. Do they do beer?

On the down side, Bez seemed to have attracted the 'talkers' again - the couple behind were rabbiting on until I turned and gave them a good stern stare - good job they chose to shut it at that point as my next move would have been to unleash Bez on them....

I reckon I've solved the riddle of why Bez attracts the talkers; it's because he's so bloody tall that everyone around him starts muttering and mumbling about not being able to see :D

Glad you had a good gig chaps; these kind of "have they still got it" type gigs are good fun, and nice nostalgic trip down memory lane - I did it with Hawkwind in 2005 at the Fairfield Halls, and it is difficult persuading someone to come along isn't it?! I did it by buying Laura a ticket too...

I reckon I've solved the riddle of why Bex attracts the talkers; it's because he's so bloody tall that everyone around him starts muttering and mumbling about not being able to see :D

Glad you had a good gig chaps; these kind of "have they still got it" type gigs are good fun, and nice nostalgic trip down memory lane - I did it with Hawkwind in 2005 at the Fairfield Halls, and it is difficult persuading someone to come along isn't it?! I did it by buying Laura a ticket too... ::) :P

The logo on the hats' belongs to the 'other' incarnation of BJH - I suspect that the judiciously cut message in Woolly Wolstenholme's hands is less than complimentary to 'Barclay James Harvest (featuring Les Holroyd)'!

Not posting much anywhere at the moment - not that that will be bothering anyone I imagine!

I had to go and see the consultant today, the one that carried out my shoulder op. a while back. My other (right) shoulder has bee playing up, but I was fairly confident that it wasn't as bad as the other one, and I had been doing all the exercises the physiotherapist had given me....... The scan however has shown the same problem, a detached ligament that will only get worse so it's another op! I came out of there really quite down because, although it may not be a difficult procedure, it's 4 to 6 weeks in a sling and off work which, though it sounds great, is not something I look forward to..........oh.....it hurts like hell as well!

Not posting much anywhere at the moment - not that that will be bothering anyone I imagine!

I had to go and see the consultant today, the one that carried out my shoulder op. a while back. My other (right) shoulder has bee playing up, but I was fairly confident that it wasn't as bad as the other one, and I had been doing all the exercises the physiotherapist had given me....... The scan however has shown the same problem, a detached ligament that will only get worse so it's another op! I came out of there really quite down because, although it may not be a difficult

Another trek up to the Arena for the pre-Christmas Quo gig. Somehow, in too many years of gigging this was the first time I'd seen the Quo live........bloody hell I've missed some fun!!

Arrived with the family in tow in plenty of time to catch both supports: Twentyseven (I think?) from Australia were fairly harmless - and yes they did mention the cricket! Second act on, Vivian, possibly of Germanic or maybe Dutch extraction were actually very good! Luke was well into their Green Day-esque sound and they were bloody tight and talented. Set us up nicely for the main event.

We were seated half way back in the front row of the Grand Tier and had a cracking view of the stage. By the time Quo came on the arena was pretty well full, but they had curtained off the rear section of seating so, maybe 3/4 full? Opening with Caroline the band never let the tempo drop for a minute - absolutely brilliant stuff. And I'm NOT the fan - that's Mrs Pudders privilege! Louise had a great night, headbanging away to all the hits that I knew, and all the album stuff I didn't! Can't remember half the stuff they played but was surprised to hear a 'metal' edge I had never credited them with in few numbers, and the finale of Roll Over Lay Down, Down Down, Whatever You Want, Rocking All Over The World was ace!

We shot off before the encore to avoid the rush so no idea what they played there but all in all a cracking night out - will definitely be catching them again if poss.

1 year and 3 months to the day since my Father passed away I have just signed the last cheque to be written from the Executors account. That's it, all done, my role complete.

My Fathers death has changed me, no doubt about that. I've become more introspective in as much as my family are concerned, more reflective on the past and, maybe, just a little bit harder edged than before. Not sure if any of that is a good thing but that's what you get these days ;)

So, Christmas looms! It's long since ceased to be a reason - or a season - to get bladdered (well, not every day). Perhaps that's another thing that has changed, perhaps maturity has finally struck! Whatever, age is creeping up on me, I will be 45 in a couple of weeks and, all of a sudden, I am beginning to feel 'old' :-/

Anyway, I'd like to wish all my friends on tnms a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Well, first gig of the year was a 30 minute drive down to Godalming to catch the wonderful Geist, back at one of their favourite venues. There was good crowd in, the band have certainly built up a following over the last year or so of playing here and as always they rise to an appreciative reception.

Good to see the addition of keyboards to the line up with sometime songwriter Dave Costan hidden away behind Neill's Marshall stack ;) Thought the piano worked really well, the organ less so - it tended to clash harmonically with the violin to these ears especially the Hammond 'Leslie' effect. Early on the mix was slightly suspect, young Tupman being the main victim, but he got the nod about 3 or 4 songs in and tweaked his knob with a very satisfying result!

So, 2 sets which featured a few 'oldies' and quite a smattering of 'newies' as well. To be honest I'm hopeless with song titles at the best of times so I'm gonna struggle here, but definitely recalled Twenty-Five, That Was Then and an Untitled (or 2?) and of course the briliant, soon to be released world wide as a single, Jasmine. The new stuff was very good, the close out to the first set was magnificent - the last number featuring a brilliant arrangement that allowed everyone on a tight stage the opportunity to express themselves.

Second set was probably better balanced than the first - still just a tendancy to keep the pace slowed down for a song too far in the middle of that opening set for me - and the audience was well into the groove by now......err...man! Again a strong finish, and a quick 2 song encore saw the band sent into the night with applause ringing in their ears, and well deserved to!

Really pleased to hear a fair bit of new material on the night, all of which showed that Geist are not just living on past glories and are prepared to try different directions whilst retaining that distinctive style. I'd also be tempted to say the the newer stuff outshone some of the older numbers in terms of 'tightness'.....

Plenty of positive comments from the appreciative crowd - I recognised a couple of guys that I had chatted to the first time the boys played so they must be doing something right - and the landlord was raving about them as well!

Great night out - enjoyed the mini tnms meet up with Keith Maria Dave and Maz - I'll try and get someone else to drive down there one of these days so I can sample more than one of those lovely English Ales!! And I didn't get the chance to strum Neill's Tele either, which was a bit of a bummer, result of having to park about 8 miles down the road ::)

Good to meet a few people last night - if only briefly. The bar was shut afterwards, anyway Neil!I thought the Musical Box show was fantastic - spoilt only a little by the sound. The vocals were lost from where we were and the drums (he was sooo good) were overpowering. 'Peter Gabriel' sounded just like PG - quite uncanny. The playing was superb and tight. Great stuff. ;D

You owe me nowt Ash, hope it got a few more bums on seats for you - looked more than the figure you were quoting anyway? Really enjoyed it - as Jon mentioned on the night, it was quite bizarre hearing 'Get 'em Out By Friday' played by 'Genesis'...in 2007!

A week or so ago the prospect of getting anything done on the ground seemed a distant and forlorn hope - we were quite literally under water! This week couldn't be more different, with spring well and truly here, two football pitches re-seeded already and 5 more to do tomorrow, the main cricket square well into it's pre-season rolling program, and the gardens and lawns around the School beginning to look presentable again! I love my job when it's like this......but it looks like there may be a sting in the tail next week, with snow a possibility by Monday evening!!

It would be good if the weather improved again by the end of next week as I'm off to Belgium and France with the School battlefield's trip. I try to go every couple of years and it's always a busy, tiring but ultimately rewarding 4 days. Somehow I've ended up as second most experienced member of the staff body on this years trip and have been actively involved in the planning of routes and the choice of sites to visit - which has been very interesting, but a touch stressy at times!

Missing out on a couple of gigs in the next few weeks - including Bonamassa at SBE - which is a bit of a bummer, but we are out tomorrow, travelling about 600 yards to the Leatherhead Theatre to see the Manfreds! Seems basically to be the Blues Band under a different name but should be a laugh. Nothing else planned until the APFS and PT shows on consecutive days in April - but that's something to look forward to...

I've shocked my self by playing both VT and TFE over the last few days and managing to get through them with out hitting the 'skip' button (very hard for me where TFE is concerned!) Also revisited Counterparts, which should probably be renamed 'Goodinparts'. As for 'Far Cry'......well, I really, really like it!

It is interesting to see the varying views being expressed around the board, and pleasing to see the debate remaining mostly respectful - as it should do. I do get slightly hacked off when people try to express 'my' opinion for me though - I'm quite capable of drawing my own conclusions on the merits of a piece of music thanks ;)

It is interesting to see the varying views being expressed around the board, and pleasing to see the debate remaining mostly respectful - as it should do. I do get slightly hacked off when people try to express 'my' opinion for me though - I'm quite capable of drawing my own conclusions on the merits of a piece of music thanks ;)

Reading some of the posts in the Far Cry threads this week has made me feel oddly protective of Rush. A bit like being a parent: its OK for me to criticize my kids, but if anyone else does it I want to smack them round the face. ;) ;D

Reading some of the posts in the Far Cry threads this week has made me feel oddly protective of Rush. A bit like being a parent: its OK for me to criticize my kids, but if anyone else does it I want to smack them round the face. ;) ;D

[smiley=laugh.gif]

(I've just 'done a Bez' by the way - what a waste of 5 minutes! ::) ;D )

Just back from the Manfreds at Leatherhead Theatre.......most enjoyable evenings entertainment! Not really what I expected but, not being a particular fan it was more a case of local gig, may as well go along, and I'm glad I did! There was a definite jazz edge to things, with the inevitable blues thrown in as well. Bit underwhelmed by the 5/6 string bass player, but the guy on sax was outstanding. Paul Jones was joined by another original member, Mike Hugg(playing keyboards now), and also Tom McGuinness, who joined the band in the mid 60's. Absolute pleasure to see Rob Townsend on drums, surely one of the most underated drummers around! Musical highlights were, in the main, the non-hits - though a closing 'Mighty Quinn' was a well performed surprise - with Jones' harp playing and vocals of the highest quality throughout.

The Battlefields trip was, as ever, very worthwhile. We never engage all the kids but we hooked a fair few this year. We've introduced a 4.5 mile walk along the front line of the Battle of the Somme, finishing at the site of the Hawthorn Ridge mine - you've probably all seen the film of the mine being detonated - it really grabbed the kids imagination to be stood in the Sunken Lane and show them photo's of the Lancashire regiment stood in exactly the same spot 91 years ago ready to go over the top, I love it when it all comes together!

Anyway, a few piccies......

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/pudders/bf032.jpg)Yours truly at Pozieres, on the Somme, 2,700 graves of which 1,374 are unknowns. The walls contain the memorial panels to the men of the Fifth Army who died in the German Spring offensive of March 1918 - it contains a further 14, 644 names of those with no known grave....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/pudders/bf035.jpg)Bard Cottage Cemetery, Ypres Salient, Belgium. 1639 graves, just 30 unknowns. A vague attempt by me to 'compose' a photograph ::)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/pudders/bf040.jpg)A headstone in Talana Farm Cemetery, Ypres Salient Belgium. I spent a great deal of time in this cemetery reading the personal inscriptions on the stones - many were very poignant but this one seemed even more so.....

(http://homepage.ntlworld.com/neil.ashworth1/hawthorn.JPG)Hawthorn Ridge mine going up, 7.20am, July 1st 1916. A still from the film, the camera was just below the Sunken Lane from where the troops attacking the German lines went over.....

.....and to think while you were giving the kids a very worthwhile history lesson a number of people on here were throwing their toys out of the pram about.....nothing really. Certainly puts it into perspective.

I suppose we should just think ourselves lucky that we are alive in a time where we get to worry about whether we will get good Rush tickets and not about whether we will get blown to smithereens in a muddy field

.....and to think while you were giving the kids a very worthwhile history lesson a number of people on here were throwing their toys out of the pram about.....nothing really. Certainly puts it into perspective.

Doesn't it just! I'll try to find the camera phone picture I sent to Analog. The message with it was along the lines of 'rather puts the Rush ticket buying frenzy into perspective'......

Just what was WO thinking when he could have penned something about 'lurkers' and the ticket frenzy?

Wilfred Owen

Dulce Et Decorum Est

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,Till on the haunting flares we turned our backsAnd towards our distant rest began to trudge.Men marched asleep. Many had lost their bootsBut limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hootsOf disappointed shells that dropped behind.

GAS! Gas! Quick, boys!-- An ecstasy of fumbling,Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;But someone still was yelling out and stumblingAnd floundering like a man in fire or lime.--Dim, through the misty panes and thick green lightAs under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could paceBehind the wagon that we flung him in,And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;If you could hear, at every jolt, the bloodCome gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cudOf vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,--My friend, you would not tell with such high zestTo children ardent for some desperate glory,The old Lie: Dulce et decorum estPro patria mori.

Title: Re: The Pudders Periodical
Post by: The Old Dog on March 31, 2007, 10:11:15 AM

Quote

Doesn't it just! I'll try to find the camera phone picture I sent to Analog. The message with it was along the lines of 'rather puts the Rush ticket buying frenzy into perspective'......

Sometimes Neil your observations are spot on i've visited more than a few war cemetaries (sp?) and i've always found the 1st world war ones the most poignant ,the age range of those who died in that conflict is staggering ,i did some research a while back regarding relatives who were killed and given that families were larger then i was shocked to discover i lost a total of 11 from one side alone i can't even beleive the suffering the relatives at home went through .

So.....I sent one of these to Analog. This is Tyne Cot Cemetery. It lies on the ground sloping up towards the village of Passchendaele, land over which many thousand Commonwealth troops fought through out the battle of that name, land which by the end of November 1917 had turned into a stinking muddy grave for so many of them. This is the largest CWGC cemetery in the world, with just under 12,000 graves, of which 8,366 are unknown, 70% of the total. In addition the rear wall is a memorial to just under 35,000 men with no known grave.

It never fails to move me but, this year it really got to me for some reason. You used to approach the site from the front, so you would see the graves from the coach as you pulled up but now they have built a small visitor centre at the rear and you walk around the side of the cemetery. The effect of that is it unfolds slowly before your eyes and as we walked the kids down the lad directly behind me just stopped and said, "Oh my God!!"

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/pudders/25032007089.jpg)Looking left

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/pudders/25032007088.jpg)Looking right

Just what was WO thinking when he could have penned something about 'lurkers' and the ticket frenzy?

Neil, we walk past the site of the bunker where Owen was 'inspired' to write The Sentry, after being ordered to occupy a captured German dug out. There was a program on the tv about the excavations a few years ago......

The Sentry

We'd found an old Boche dug-out, and he knew,And gave us hell, for shell on frantic shellHammered on top, but never quite burst through.Rain, guttering down in waterfalls of slimeKept slush waist high, that rising hour by hour,Choked up the steps too thick with clay to climb.What murk of air remained stank old, and sourWith fumes of whizz-bangs, and the smell of menWho'd lived there years, and left their curse in the den,If not their corpses. . . . There we herded from the blastOf whizz-bangs, but one found our door at last.Buffeting eyes and breath, snuffing the candles.And thud! flump! thud! down the steep steps came thumpingAnd splashing in the flood, deluging muck

Wilfred Owen was an old boy of my school, Birkenhead Institute and we had both a memorial to him and a library named after him. Sadly, like him, it has gone now and new houses have been built in its place - on Wilfred Owen Drive of course.

Great photos Neil...i did the battlefield tour about 1996 was really moving to say the least.....theres something horribly senseless about the First World War that moves me in a way that other ''conflicts'' dont :-/Reading all the headstones with so young ages 16/17/18 on them just really sad...

Well after the history lesson of the last few posts it's back to reality!

Apologies due first off for failing in my duty to post reviews of the last couple of gigs I attended - so brief notes to follow:

Australian Pink Floyd Show, Fairfield Halls, Croydon. 25/04/2007

Took the family along to this having been mightily impressed with the band the last time they played here and once again it was a great show. Good to see a fair few changes in the set from the last time, and particularly nice to hear something from Animals ('Sheep'). I was suprised at the length of the set, on at 8pm off at just after 11pm - with a 25 minute interval, so good value for money although the kids found it hard going and it was incredibly hot in the venue. Good to meet up with Andre, spotted by Mrs P ("well, how many other people would be wearing a Porcupine Tree t-shirt?") propping up the bar ;). Overall a good show. 7.5/10

Porcupine Tree, The Forum, 26/04/2007

Was really looking forward to this one and it turned out to be a belter! managed to get to the pre-gig meet in good time to find Terr, Maz, Bez, Andre and Alex already well on the way to....having a good time ;D Slightly concerned at the way Bez was nursing a bottle of Shiraz but such thoughts were soon forgotten due to some quite interesting scenery behind the bar ::) Various others soon wandered in Dave Lack and mate, my old Rush companion and occasional tnmser, Dave Ralph, Stu Clark, CQ, Rascal, Oz (the bearer of gifts) and a few others that the mists of time have caused me to forget :-/

Most of the gang went off early to sample the support act, Amplifier, but Stu, Bez, Dave Ralph and myself lingered over the barmaid another pint and put the world, mostly, to rights.

At the Forum we ended up a fairway back on the floor, Wes's side, but with a good view. Sound was ok after a couple of numbers, if lacking a little in clarity but, it seems they have left the days of the bass totally overpowering everything well behind them, thank God. The FOABP tracks came across really well, 'Anesthetize' was very nearly "awesome" and 'Sleep Together' a great choice as set closer. Good to hear some stuff that was new, in a live setting, for me, 'Lightbulb Sun' and 'Sever', not sure that 'Half Light' really worked for me though :-/

Decided to bugger off early and missed the encore but all in all it was the right decision as I was absolutely knackered. Another great gig at a pretty full Forum - not sure what the place holds but it seems much bigger than the Astoria? would like to see them at Hammersmith in the not to distant future but i guess that may be asking a lot at the moment. Gets a 8/10 from me.

Home and work life has been very nearly Hell the last few weeks......what am I talking about!, more like the last few months!

On the work front I'm not a happy bunny at the way things are panning out, things just don't feel right and i have some serious thinking to do about just where i want to go and what I want to do in the next few years. I'm 45 now and desperately want to retire by the time I'm 60 - that last 5 years is a real killer in this job, often quite literally! I have some ideas of how to achieve my desires and the next few months are very important as various things may fall into place that allow me to have more say in how my role here might develop - lets see. As a groundsman though I feel quite dejected at the moment - the pressure of an increasing pupil roll means more and more pressure on the grounds and there is an increasing attitude of 'we must play' regardless of the effect that will have on the state of the ground both at the time and in the future - the health and safety of the kids is the only criteria for 'no play'. It's something I am not comfortable with, it doesn't sit easily alongside my desire to produce outstanding facilities which I can be proud of. Despite voicing my concerns to senior management here there seems little chance that the Schools approach is going to change. On the other hand it is very difficult for me, and the family, to contemplate a move for a number of reasons so, in the short term at least, I am having to learn to deal with it all. As I say, not very happy.

Away from work, and just when you'd think I would be looking for an easy life, I agreed a month or so back to return to Youth Football management and will be runing the Colts U12A squad next season. As a result I will be taking an FA coaching course over the next few months enabling me to talk bollocks about football whilst wearing a badge! Thankfully the wife is quite supportive of that decision. However she was less enthusiastic about the news I confirmed for her last night that I have agreed to take on the role of League Secretary for the Colts section (U7 - U17). As I said, if we don't do it - my mate has agreed to become Chairman as well - the club stands a real chance of folding, and I can't stand by and see that happen, with over 400 boys playing for us at the moment. One thing is indisputable though, I must be bloody mad!

mad indeed mate, good luck and it was nice knowing you (there'll be no time for posting on here any more)

The outgoing chairman suggested I try to get someone to be 'Fixture Secretary' because that way, "you might be able have a couple of days holiday a year" :-/.

Further developments today saw Bookham Colts confirm an affiliation with Leatherhead FC that will give us a much needed base and social facility, amongst other things. And tomorrow I have a meeting with Chelsea's Football in the Community director to firm up on ties with them that will enable us to use some of their training facilites, along with coaching from the Academy staff.

Haven't told the wife about the League AGM I now have to go to next Thursday yet...... ::)

Not going to mention Colts Football...what the feck was I thinking about ::)

Anyway, pleased to report that Louise's Dad was 're-plumbed' as he is putting it, following his successful bowel cancer op just over a year ago. So he has said goodbye to his little bag and can finally get around to learning how to crap again....which is actually very easy...it's the stopping that's the problem!! (Hope no one is reading this whilst having their coco pops for breakfast....)

Anyway, I promised Louise that I would flag up the fact that she is running the 5K 'Race For Life' up on Epsom Downs on the 1st July, in aid of Cancer Research. Apart from her Dad, I lost my Mum to cancer a few years back and we have both lost close friends. Sadly another is about to join that list..... and there are others, including some on here, who are touched by this terrible disease. so, we are trying to do our little bit to help. If you are intrigued take a look at Louise's page -it's linked in my signature.

Not going to mention Colts Football...what the feck was I thinking about ::)

Anyway, pleased to report that Louise's Dad was 're-plumbed' as he is putting it, following his successful bowel cancer op just over a year ago. So he has said goodbye to his little bag and can finally get around to learning how to crap again....which is actually very easy...it's the stopping that's the problem!! (Hope no one is reading this whilst having their coco pops for breakfast....)

Anyway, I promised Louise that I would flag up the fact that she is running the 5K 'Race For Life' up on Epsom Downs on the 1st July, in aid of Cancer Research. Apart from her Dad, I lost my Mum to cancer a few years back and we have both lost close friends. Sadly another is about to join that list..... and there are others, including some on here, who are touched by this terrible disease. so, we are trying to do our little bit to help. If you are intrigued take a look at Louise's page -it's linked in my signature.

Talk about counting one's chickens ::) Louise's Dad is currently in the High Dependancy Unit having picked up a chest infection, as well as kidney problems. the last week has been absolute Hell for my wife. Working 9-5 then the 80 minute drive to hospital to be with her Dad. She has been getting home absolutely knackered, emotionally drained and then spends what seems like hours on the phone to her sisters and Mum. We're all doing our best to help out - the kids have been quite good actually - and I've even resurrected my ironing skills (the ironing was shit but at least it made her laugh ;D )

It seems (fingers crossed) that he is now on the mend but no one is building hopes to high at the moment.

Pleased to report that Louise's Dad is now back home and doing ok - but it took a lot out of him. He's a lovely fella and hopefully he'll perk up as the weeks go by.

Louise succesfully completed her run - 34 minutes and finished in the top 100 out of 3200 odd so really proud of her. Bizarrely, the following weekend while leaning across Sam's bed to grab a bottle he's left there she tore her calf muscle!! Fortunately she had recovered sufficiently to make the Mule gig last Saturday - preceded by a meal in China Town - which we both enjoyed. As always great to meet up with the 'gang' for a few beers pre-gig - I think Bez has covered the music side of things quite nicely in his review - we actually moved between the floor and the bar upstairs at various points on the evening which, as Louise slurred to me later, probably meant we had drunk more than the ones who stayed on the floor...never mind eh?

And I'd like to point out that not only did we stay for the encore, we made a very leisurely departure. Louise and Lucy look they could be trouble, they got on really well and Lou was just chuffed to bits to find someone shorter (just) than her!!

I'll close with Lou's comment as we sat in the train on the way home: "We all should meet up for a proper drink sometime - we never have time for a chat when we meet before gigs..."

you'll need to come up with a list of ports that we're not allowed to dock at.... ::)

I'm sure that will be in the rider ::)

At the moment I'm not sure what's the matter with her - we've unexpectedly found our selves without kids for most of the weekend, with Luke in Germany and Sam partying. "Can't you find us a gig to go on Saturday night" was the plea yesterday!

Errr......right.....not having much luck so far, apart from a pub band that were playing when I was in a band!!!

And I'd like to point out that not only did we stay for the encore, we made a very leisurely departure. Louise and Lucy look they could be trouble, they got on really well and Lou was just chuffed to bits to find someone shorter (just) than her!!

'look they could be trouble' - eh? :D

And I'm really looking forward to meeting Maria - apparently she is shorter than me! Hoorah!Found a gig yet? ;D

Well, last weekend was a blast despite never quite making that gig we promised ourselves! Culminated in a very pleasant Sunday afternoon at Lucy's, too much wine, and some fantastic music....thanks Luce!

Signed on the dotted line today for a new car. Sticking with Honda but upgrading from the cheap and cheerful 1.4 Jazz Sport to a 1.8 Civic - we really need that extra bit of space it offers and it's a lovely drive, even if the dash looks like some thing off the bridge of the Enterprise! Hopefully be picking it up when we get back fom holibobs.

Speaking of which - off to Lanzagroty on Thursday for a fortnight of absolutely feck all, can't wait! Selection of books packed, ipods will be loaded (x4), watch out the Pudneys are coming!!

Thoroughly fed up - coming home from holidays has been a real downer as we had a fantastic time. We met up with loads of old friends and just enjoyed ourselves! The best thing about it all is that nothing is ever arranged - I'd say there is an extended 'friends' circle of something like 35 people - but you are always bumping into people, having a chat, or a drink, or a bite to eat or catching a local band.....or you can just do your own thing.

Found a cracking Rock bar in Playa Blanca, only been open a few months but I'll get the place into my sig so you can check it out. It's run by a guy called 'Andy', a drummer who I am convinced was in a name band but I couldn't get his last name out of him....or anyone else for that matter! Whatever, the covers band at the bar get better as the night goes on, playing Maiden, Metallica, Sabbath etc....kids loved it!

As you'll see from the avatar we met a real life film star as well! Rupert Grint, Ron Weasley to you and me, travelled out and back on the same plane as us and the kids very politely asked for his autograph and a picture and he was more than happy to oblige - thoroughly nice fella - weird and very large family mind - but very nice fella!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/pudders/Ron2.jpg)Sam and Luke (just) on the left and their mate Andrew on the right

So.....back to reality......work, football, and the odd pillock ;)

Off to see the Lostprophets on Wednesday, as 'responsible adult' with Sam and two mates - all 15 so I have to chaperone them. I'll make the most of it, stand at the back and nod me 'ead at appropriate moments....

My eldest son is a huge fan of Lostprophets and had already seen them a couple of times (At Hammersmith and Wembley Arena), when this festival warm up gig was announced - they play at Leeds and Reading over the coming weekend. After a little bit of haggling based around the fact he, at 14, needed an adult to get him in he agreed to fore go his birthday money and in effect by ME a ticket! I also agreed to take a couple of his mates along, Callum and Becky, bought the tickets and then forgot all about until the end of last week as I wasn't particularly thrilled at the prospect.

I'd struggle to name more than a couple of tunes to be honest but I'm fairly familiar with them simply because the lads are always playing the stuff! And I'd have to say by the time yesterday came I was quite looking forwad to it - if only to see how a band that had sold out Wembley Arena came across in the Relatively small Astoria.

So......met up with all the kids and checked they had tickets and ID and off we trundled to the Astoria. Obviously this was the first time there for the three youngsters so I was grilled for information which in summary narrowed down to, "it's small and black....".

Strange to queue for an hour instead of quaffing ale with tnmsers, and felt very very old amongst a horde of hormonal teenagers but even I was starting to feed of the excitement that the kids obviously felt. In at 7 - baby faced Sam being the only one who had to show his ID - and I led the kids up the hell that is 'downstairs' at the Astoria. Following Bez's advice I let them know where I would be ( "By the bar") and introduced them to the raised platform in front of the desks (Becky is about 2 foot nothing!).

Support act were called Attack Attack and the kids moved into the mayhem for them. I planted myself behind the sound desk and have to say they were pretty good - never going to set the world alight but they were tight, and the sound was excellant, a very good warm up I thought. Chatted to the singer/guitarist at the bar a bit later as well - apparently it was only their 6th professional gig!!

Took some water down to the troops in the break and left them to it - the atmosphere was electric by then. When Lostprophets came on the crowd reaction was astonishing - took me back a year or two!! Again the sound, considering the venue, was fantastic and the mix spot on. Apart from the opener which was a new song apparently, I was familiar with all that was played, all delivered with great energy from a band at the top of their game. Front man Ian Watkins commanded the stage and clearly enjoyed being able to work the smaller venue - he has a decent voice though he did struggle once or twice - but he has that presence about him that suggests he's probably a complete tosser off stage......but who cares!. The rest of the band, 2 guitars, bass, keyboards and drums were as tight as a ducks proverbial.

A couple of moments really stood out for me - the 'Last Summer/4am Forever' pairing and the Jam riff rip off of 'A Town Called Hypocrisy'

Overall, pleasantly surprised! Kids thought it was brilliant - best they'd seen of them - and they managed a creditable 45 mins in the mayhem before retiring for free water and an easier life upstairs!

At an hour and a half maybe a tad short, and no encore as such, but apparently they often do that!

8/10

Set (translated from some strange txt type language on a message board!)

good stuff mate, glad you enjoyed them, Last Train and Shinobi are always great crowd pleasers...

have they lost all fo the "growly" vocals ?

Pretty much - the keyboard chappy gave it some during one song but that was about it.

I did feel at times that I'd 'heard that song before' so maybe they are a bit samey but, yeah, overall it was great fun. Amazing to see the whole floor area bouncing about 2 feet in the air, moving 3 feet left, then landing :o

Off to the Oval tomorrow for the 6th 1 dayer between England and India. Promises to be good day - as long as Bez and I don't consume beer at the rate as we did during the 20/20 match earlier this season ::)

Many of you now I'm a huge Pink Floyd/David Gilmour fan so I'm looking forward to acouple of events in the next 10 days: On Thursday I'm meeting up with Rascal to attend the world wide premier of the new Gilmour DVD, recorded over 3 nights at the Royal Albert Hall in May 2006. We were both at the first show which was an absolute belter (I think I rather keenly gave it a 10/10 score but, what the hey ;) ) The man himself will be in attendance and we are promised a surprise or two so.....watch this space.

Then a week on Saturday Louise and I are attending the 'by invitation only' US Premier of the DVD - courtesy of the wonderful Features Editor of David's Blog. Unfortunately this doesn't involve an all expenses paid trip to the US but a long walk from Stockwell tube station to the Ritzy in Brixton! I have a feeling this could be a very interesting event ;)

Off to the Oval tomorrow for the 6th 1 dayer between England and India. Promises to be good day - as long as Bez and I don't consume beer at the rate as we did during the 20/20 match earlier this season ::)

Has anyone seen Pudders, last spotted on a train from Vauxhall heading allegedly towards Leatherhead. He had his sleepy pissed head on and may have ended up in Brighton.

I did get a text later saying he was home, "I'm home and i think I got away with it" but I think he may have been kidnapped asthere was no way that Lousie wasn't going to notice the stain on the knee of his new cords... ::)

Has anyone seen Pudders, last spotted on a train from Vauxhall heading allegedly towards Leatherhead. He had his sleepy pissed head on and may have ended up in Brighton.

I did get a text later saying he was home, "I'm home and i think I got away with it" but I think he may have been kidnapped asthere was no way that Lousie wasn't going to notice the stain on the knee of his new cords... ::)

Has anyone seen Pudders, last spotted on a train from Vauxhall heading allegedly towards Leatherhead. He had his sleepy pissed head on and may have ended up in Brighton.

I did get a text later saying he was home, "I'm home and i think I got away with it" but I think he may have been kidnapped as there was no way that Lousie wasn't going to notice the stain on the knee of his new cords... ::)

;D I tell you what, that was a brilliant day!

Fortunately it WAS the Leatherhead train and I managed to stay awake - but your right, I didn't entirely get away with it - but it's ok she is talking to me this morning ;)

Probably shouldn't have popped in the pub on the way up the High Street though..... ::)

Have you managed to work out the beer consumption - I lost count about 4pm.

it was spilt - the 32nd one I mean....well most of it was...I seem to remember finishing off what was left....I was beyond counting to notice who drank the odd one...I only know the number bbecause they were served in holders of 4 and collectively we made 8 trips to the bar...there were 3 of us drinking I hasten to add...

My money's on Bez having the extra one during the thrilling finale......

It was great game of cricket though - we had a sweep when England were 50 odd for 2 as to what the final score would be. With an over to go Bez's 310 seemed way off the mark then Dimi goes and clobbers five 6's back over the bowlers head :o Shit bowling but still great hits.

Some good knocks from KP, Luke Wright and Shah for England whilst Tendulkar just never looked like he was going to get out - apparently it was cramp that got him ::)

In all honesty things start to get a little hazy about 20 overs from the end but it was a very enjoyable day ;)

As Rush left the stage at the NEC after the 3rd date of their first UK tour in 12 years I, like thousands of others around me, thought that was it. If nothing else Peart's reluctance to tour (later documented in his book 'Roadshow') would prevent them making the long trek over to Europe - yep, that was it, just memories would remain.......

Dateline: 09th October 2007

How gloriously wrong I had been! My nerves were shot to pieces by the time I set off in an Autumnal rain storm, heading for Wembley Arena and the return of Rush to the UK, 45 years old and behaving like a kid at Christmas! Text messages were exchanged - with Dave, "I'm getting excited now!" and Analog, "Hurry up!" Arriving at Wembley Park I decided to take the scenic route up to the Green Man Pub - designated meeting place of the Faithful - and see if I could see or hear anything at the Arena. My reward was to hear Subdivisions belting out in the soundcheck - another shot of adrenalin then!

So the pub......3 years ago many of us had met here for the first time, today it was like a family reunion, with a few long lost cousins thrown in for good measure. Beer was drunk - I had been offered a lift home by Lucy - and stories swapped for a good few hours, and I still managed NOT to meet Hassan, how bloody annoying is that :-/

Gig time!! Off we strolled to hit the Merch about 7pm and then into the Arena. Left Dave in A2, Row 7 with my old guitarist buddy Andy, to take up the gob smackingly good A3, Row 2, seat that a very special mate had secured for me - cheers pal ;) Barely time to take it all in before the lights dimmed and....

......the intro film started. The first set went by in a blur to be honest - sound was pretty good, though Lerxst was a bit low at times - the opening salvo of Limelight, Digital Man and Entre Nous were for me a great opening trio, Mission allowed the tempo to drop only very slightly before they cranked it up again with the bloody masterpiece that is Freewill - God I love that song! A brace of S&A songs followed, TMMB was a bit disappointing this night for some reason but The Larger Bowl transferred really well to the live arena. Secret Touch seemed strangely out of place in the exalted company which surrounded it - a fact emphasised by the brilliant Circumstances which followed it (they played that the first time I ever saw them, back in 1979 but I may well have been dozing at the time ;) ) and the Between The Wheels/Dreamline lighting/laser spectacular that closed out the set just floored me. Wow!

Did a quick seat exchange with Dave for the second set - allowing him the chance to get up close and personal with the band he has loved a hell of lot longer than I have - also meant I could catch up with Andy Hyldon who was delighted to see that "Lifeboat was playing proper guitars" these days. Was slightly concerned how the 5 in a row from S&A would come over at the start of set 2 but, in the main, it worked pretty well. Far Cry is a bonefide Rush classic and both Working Them Angels and Armor And Sword rock hard. Spindrift also worked better than reports suggested it might and I really enjoyed The Way The Wind Blows. Was it a good thing to play 5 in a row? Lets just say I don't think it was a 'Bad' thing eh? From the moment the first notes of Subdivisions thundered out the crowd really got into it - Natty Science, into Witch Hunt (magnificent) then Mal Nar into the drum solo (which I really enjoyed!) Hope provided a pleasent interlude before the all on assault of Distant Early Warning, Spirit Of Radio and Tom Sawyer (great intro). The encores of One Little Victory, Passage To Bangkok and YYZ topped off a quite brilliant night. Can they still carry it off? Too bloody right they can and don't you let ANYONE tell you other wise. Should have given up years ago? Utter bollocks! ;D

So, general thoughts then - Alex was on fire, Geddy sang magnificently and the bloke behind the drums smiled I think! Sound was pretty good - bit better when back in row 7- and the lighting looked pretty impressive, though it really is hard to tell from that close to the stage. Good to hook up with Bez and Paz in row 2 and get some practice in on the air drumming which would play such an important part the following night!

You know, the great thing about doing two nights back to back is that you pick up on so much more the second time around. I enjoyed Wembley 1 enormously, but I was a little 'tense' - concentrating on trying to catch every nuance of every song and not really surrendering to the music.

I can honestly say that was NOT a problem on this night! Despite being stone cold sober - decided to drive as getting back by train can be such a pig - I can honestly say this was the best gig I have ever been to. And that was due to a band on fire, great company and of course the best seat in the house. I've waited 30 years to be in Row 1 (officially that is - did fight my way almost to the front at Hammy Odeon in 1980) and, here I was!

Anyway....made it to the Green Man by a reasonable 5.30 and had my 2 pints of shandy - but turned down the kind offer of a pot of tea from Tom and Analog ;) Met up with a few others I'd missed the day before including Dod's and Ash, and Reg. As Bez mentioned we strolled down in good time to take up those precious Row 1 positions, parting company with a very jealous Dave as he shuffled off to N8. It was tnms city down there - Bez and Paz either side of me, ARH, NeilP, Ash, Oz, Gezza, NicolaB and her young daughter - Andre appeared at some point as well ;) - apologies for those I've forgotten :-/

And so it began! I know I keep banging on about it but, how do you describe that night? From the opening riff of Limelight I was elevated to a different plane (Welcome to the plane of Pudders ;D ). I punched the air I clapped my hands, I bounced around like a loony and I sang (really badly) every bloody word of every bloody song. I sang to Geddy, I air guitared to Alex and I air drummed to Neil (apologies to Pratt if Bez and I put him off a couple of times - our timing was a bit off beat at times ;) ) The previous night Set One was brilliant - tonight it was astonishing, utterly brilliant. By the time the Between the Wheels/Dreamline finale was reached we had both Alex and Geddy wondering what the Hell was going on - they were smiling at us, pulling faces, constantly coming over to check we were alright ;) I was fecked!

The interval gave us a chance to draw breath and try to sober ARH up - what we should have done was disable his bloody camera! Chased Dave Ogg half round the arena but still failed to catch up with him for a chat - also waved at Dave, and Keith and Maria up in N8 whilst wearing a smug expression on my face - sorry guys ;)

Second half was storming - S&A stuff was more than ok but tonight we were primed and ready for the home run and Subdivisions was the starting gun! Bez and I had by now got the 'play airdrums within a millimetre of Halfin's head' technique nailed so Pratt didn't make any more mistakes. Difficult to hang onto the barrier because NeilP was bouncing up and down on it so much, Analog hugged everyone and lovingly poured beer down their backs, and Andre survived eviction from row 2 courtesy of the classic 'I wouldn't if i was you he has 30 mates standing around him' suggestion ;)

Natural Science was again the highlight for me, worth the admission on it's own, great to see both Alex and Geddy acknowledge Nicola's daughter - the smile on her face could have lit London!

ARH and his Dad dueted on 'Bangkok' and then bounced away to YYZ and then.......it was over :'(

So, just the two gigs for me. What a fantastic time i had, meeting friends from here old and new. Very special thanks to he who sorted out tickets, I am forever in your debt, you made an old man very happy! To Bez and Paz my gig partners, thanks for holding me up. Lucy for the lift home on Tuesday and Dave for not decking me when I told him where I was sitting... I can't name everyone but to all the tnms crew I met up with, thanks! You are the best!

Over the two nights I was on a personal mission to prove to N. E. Peart that London crowds are not always "dull and reserved" - I hope I succeeded ;D

Probably the first time anyone has reviewed a play on tnms but, here goes!

With original plans for a few days away from the kids scuppered by non co-operative, err, kids, we had to look for alternatives. We stumbled across an advert for 'Shadowlands' and both re-called being moved by the film a few years ago and decided to give it a go - that despite neither of us having been to a 'proper' play since we were at school! In fact the last one I saw would have been in 1977 (but it was Gielgud, as Caeser in Schlesinger's production of Julius Caeser which was quite frankly stunning!)

For those who don't know, Shadowlands is about C.S.Lewis's liason with, and eventual marriage to American poet Joy Gresham. Charles Dance plays Lewis, Janie Dee, Gresham and they were both brilliant! I don't know what the recognised barometer of a 'good' play is but, when the cast have you crying with laughter in the first half, then wiping the tears of sadness away as the curtain falls at the very end, well, I reckon they have more than done their job!A mention for the supporting roles of Richard Durden as Lewis's brother, and the brilliant John Standing as the archetypal English university Don, but it was Dance who stood out for me. He portrayed C.S.Lewis as a man who, until Gresham appeared, was a happy and confirmed batchelor, and then had to struggle with his emotions as he realised he had, for the first time in his long life, fallen deeply in love. The tragedy was that that love would have only a very short time to develop as Gresham was struck down by an aggressive cancer. The end, when it came, had me wiping the tears away it was so well enacted!

All in all a brilliant experience though - live theatre is highly recommended!

He's in Macbeth at the moment - that would be something to see I think!

Macbeth and Twefth Night were part of the same season he's just finished at Chichester. Macbeth was so well received that they're touring it round the country and then to Broadway. A friend's brother-in-law was in them both and has nothing but praise for Patrick.

As some of you know I have been trying to write a book for....5 years now ::) It's supposed to tell the story of my fathers Field Ambulance unit in WW2, up to Dunkirk and up to now it's stalled on chapter 8!

However, today I received an email from John Nichol who is perhaps best known as the navigator of a Tornado aircraft shot down over Iraq during Desert Storm and subsequently captured, beaten, tortured and paraded on Iraqi TV. He has now written a number of books and is researching a new project about the unsung work of the Medical Services, primarily during WW2.

I'm thrilled - not so much at the prospect of meeting John - more at the hope that finally a story can be told.......

As some of you know I have been trying to write a book for....5 years now ::) It's supposed to tell the story of my fathers Field Ambulance unit in WW2, up to Dunkirk and up to now it's stalled on chapter 8!

However, today I received an email from John Nichol who is perhaps best known as the navigator of a Tornado aircraft shot down over Iraq during Desert Storm and subsequently captured, beaten, tortured and paraded on Iraqi TV. He has now written a number of books and is researching a new project about the unsung work of the Medical Services, primarily during WW2.

I'm thrilled - not so much at the prospect of meeting John - more at the hope that finally a story can be told.......

As some of you know I have been trying to write a book for....5 years now ::) It's supposed to tell the story of my fathers Field Ambulance unit in WW2, up to Dunkirk and up to now it's stalled on chapter 8!

However, today I received an email from John Nichol who is perhaps best known as the navigator of a Tornado aircraft shot down over Iraq during Desert Storm and subsequently captured, beaten, tortured and paraded on Iraqi TV. He has now written a number of books and is researching a new project about the unsung work of the Medical Services, primarily during WW2.

I'm thrilled - not so much at the prospect of meeting John - more at the hope that finally a story can be told.......

What I needed at the end of a quite awful week was a good gig and PT delivered!

Stress at work and a tearful wife - following some nasty verbal abuse at school - were all put into perspective with the news that a fellow manger at Bookham Colts had taken his own life. Subsequently I was little 'distant' at the pre-gig meet for which I apologise - but still good to meet up and chat with Jon, Terry Alex Bez Neillllll Oz Rascal and my old work mate Jake.

We managed to get into the Forum in time to catch most of Anathema's set - which was actually quite good as my last memory of them was a bloody awful noise at the Astoria. Definitely worth checking out again i think....

As Bez has said we ended up way left, at the end of the bar behind the railings over looking the floor - good position visually, but the down side was the number of people who seemed happy to pay the money for ticket to a gig they seemed not the slightest bit interested in! Chat, chat, chat - it was fecking ridiculous!`

So..partly to avoid the main culprits, and partly 'cos I seemed to have ended up behind Bez I shifted about 5 yards right as PT came on stage. Frankly the opening track was an odd choice, 'understated' would be the best I could offer. vocals were way low in the mix at this point and my general 'not with it' attitude' meant I feared the worst. But, all credit to the band, they pulled it round.....

[spoiler] Blackest Eyes into Sound of Muzak certainly livened the crowd up and Lazarus is a guilty pleasure of mine, so happy to see that one in there! For an habitual set list looker i had surprised even my self by not having a clue what was coming next, so the rest of the set, even though it contained some obvious choices, was a joy to behold! Waiting, Dark Matter, and A Smart Kid were nice surprises, the Nil Recurring stuff worked well I thought, but it was the FOABP material that really came across live - Annies Thighs was just plain bloody awesome, and the finishing pair of Way Out Of Here and Sleep Together just transcended everything else - Sleep Together was also awesome, possible more awesome that old Annie actually!.

And what a treat to get The Sky Moves Sideways (Part Of) as the opening encore track! Not all of it obviously but enough to keep the average PT punter happy! I had to sneak off to the back during Trains and legged it once Halo started - needs must and all that! [/spoiler]

Probably the best of the 4 or 5 times I have seen the band. Sound was very much better as a result of that 5 yard move to the right - I ended up behind Bez again for the last couple of tracks of the main set and it was no where near as good a sound tight against that wall - but still, not bad. Set list, fantastic for me - few new ones I'd not seen live before - and a lively and appreciative crowd down on the floor (not going to mention talkers again ::) )

Louise has been suffering from severe headaches since Saturday and began losing vision in her left eye yesterday - really, really worrying :-/ They are pretty certain it's down to some kind of viral infection affecting the optic nerve and not anything more ominous but it's not certain. They have referred her to a neurologist so hopefully we can put any lingering doubts to rest.....

She's not allowed to work/drive/go to the gym/ get too hot/get too cold until she's seen. I'm wondering if it's all stress related - she's had so much shit from various quarters the last few weeks that anything is possible.

Louise has been suffering from severe headaches since Saturday and began losing vision in her left eye yesterday - really, really worrying :-/ They are pretty certain it's down to some kind of viral infection affecting the optic nerve and not anything more ominous but it's not certain. They have referred her to a neurologist so hopefully we can put any lingering doubts to rest.....

She's not allowed to work/drive/go to the gym/ get too hot/get too cold until she's seen. I'm wondering if it's all stress related - she's had so much shit from various quarters the last few weeks that anything is possible.

Oh Neil, give Lou my love. She was gonna be off work tomorrow wasn't she? I don't teach on a Wed afternoon, so if there's anything I can do, I could pop round. I'll ring/text you tomorrow.x

Yes do - I'm taking the day off as well now so not entirely sure what our plans are - we were going to grab a pub lunch somewhere originally but not sure now. Depends how she feels in the morning I guess......

I've no doubt work will be their usual sympathetic selves when she lets them know she's of until at least next Tuesday - they'd better be understanding or I'll be paying them a visit >:(

Yes do - I'm taking the day off as well now so not entirely sure what our plans are - we were going to grab a pub lunch somewhere originally but not sure now. Depends how she feels in the morning I guess......

I've no doubt work will be their usual sympathetic selves when she lets them know she's of until at least next Tuesday - they'd better be understanding or I'll be paying them a visit >:(

She mustn't go back early! Nothing happens at this time of year anyway-certainly little in the way of teaching...I will have to give lunch a miss as I have playground duties but I'll give her a ring. She needs a few days rest...xx

Nothing much has changed - vision still very poor in left eye, headaches still there, and have to wait until Monday to see the neurologist :-/ the view of the opthalmic consultant today was it's not presenting as anything 'sinister' - which is easier for me to take than it is for Louise. The sooner Monday comes the better then.

Unfortunately things took a turn for the worse on Sunday and she was admitted to hospital for further tests - including an MRI scan of her brain. This took an age to get done, and for the results to be interpreted by a neurologist but I'm glad to say that she's come home today. It's been absolutely awful for her the last few days - the not knowing being the hardest part as she remained convinced she had a tumour. Well, the scan has discounted that, but there were a few irregularities. First they spotted a bleed which they actually are not at all concerned about - they think it may be quite old and possibly as the result of delivering one of the kids - apparently it's not unusual if the labour is difficult. Secondly, they picked up some abnormality in the Pituitary Gland which, together with the loss of sight in the left eye points towards possible MS. They won't definitely confirm it at the moment but it does seem likely that this is the root cause of the problem.

So, a bit of a shock for us......bizarrely her best friend at work has MS (her first major 'episode' mirrors Lou's experience of the last few days almost exactly) so Lou was not too phased when told, though now she's had time for it to sink in she's understandably a little on edge. Of course it may not develop much beyond where we are now, it may just be an isolated incident but, now she's been told a little bit more about it there are other pointers as well...

Hopefully she will regain most, if not all, of her sight over the next few months and nothing will happen to bother her for while. She's back to the Neurologist in the New Year for a check up so we will perhaps know more then - for now we are just glad to be back as a family again and looking forward to Christmas.

Thanks again for ALL your support, Louise wants me to thank everyone for their kind words, messages, emails, phone calls etc - as she says, 'what a great bunch of people!'

Actually not an awful lot has happened! Louise is still not back at work - and we are no nearer to a positive diagnosis (though the discharge letter from hospital said 'probably MS' ::) ) She has also spoken to her head teacher who has asked her to see the Occupational Health people, with a view to seeing what she can do if/when she returns - in the meantime they have have INCREASED the amount of teaching/planning she has to do (according to the timetable for this term). Unbelievable! Much to mull over there then......

Very proud of number one son! He is reffing up to 5 games a weekend at the moment and really pushing himself forward. As a result he has just been appointed to ref a County Cup Quarter final at U12 level which for a 15 year old lad is very impressive! On top of that he is being recommended for a place at the Academy by Surrey FA - based at Chelsea and Fulhams grounds - where he will be mentored and guided. I watched him have an absolute mare of a game last week so he has much to learn but, the reaction of the two managers was fantastic, and suprising! Both were far from happy at his lack of decision making but rather than lay into him they took him to one side and had a long chat. He then had to ref another game and was much better - decisive, firm, vocal in his explanations......and no cards! Rather him than me!

Wasn't sure I could make this at all until a couple of days before the gig but, in the end I was glad that I caught the show.

No tnms meet this time - just me and mate Dave in a rather dodgy pub down the Uxbridge Road! Wandered into the Bush Hall about 8.15 to catch the end of Lucky Jim's set - solo acoustic guitar Dylan wannabe.........didn't do it for either of us I'm afraid so it was back to the bar! Nice venue -intimate (read 'small'), long room with, on this occasion, a few tables and chairs set down each side giving it a bit of a 'wedding reception' feel.

Chatted to a PT fan for a bit - loads of them there for some reason and Aviv came on about 5 to 9. Band consisted of keyboards, drums and bass (all in Blackfield), a guitarist (unsure of identity) and sassy backing singer Alex. Sound was pretty good, nice mix, not too loud. The first four or five numbers were from Aviv

I also spent a good part of Friday and Saturday in Brixton as Sam went to see a band that most on here won't have heard of, called Paramore. They sold out two nights at the Academy so they must offer something! Actually for the bulk of the teenage boys at the gig I know exactly what they have to offer as Sam's photo, from against the barrier, demonstrates. He's quite proud of the picture, though I did point out that the other 26 were crap.... ::)

There's a hilarious photo of number one son at the front of the Paramore gig, from the NME site - I promised I wouldn't put it on tnms...........well, would you have trusted me? ;D (Sam is centre front with camera and green t-shirt

I must be cool too ;D , but then I have a 13 year old daughter who likes all this stuff. They have a sort of poppy-punk thing going on and their videos are all over the Kerrang TV channel (also watched courtesy of 13 year old daughter). :P

Bit of nostalgia last night - courtesy of an entry on Dave Ling's blog! He mentioned a remaster of the first album by Romeo's Daughter, a band that has mostly passed me by I have to admit, but who I was convinced had included a mate of mine in times gone by. Google is of course you're friend which meant I found out that it wasn't the guitar payer I thought it was, but a drummer. Andy Wells played with a London based pop-rock band called 'The Pencils' in the 80's who, due to their liking for covering a few Small Faces numbers, became quite a fixture in the Mod revival of that time. They were a cracking live outfit and we followed them all over the Capital but, like many bands at the time, they never quite made it. Anyway Andy went on to be drummer for Meatloaf for a while before joining the aforementioned Romeo's Daughter. So..... my Google search told me he was now playing in a covers band called 'The Slaves', which was a tad disappointing, but it also mentioned that he had drummed for South London based 'Bad Influence', another name from my past. Christ! They were playing when I was in 'No Comment' around the mid 80's!! More Googling turned up the fact they were still at it, and more to the point they were playing in nearby Kingston last Saturday at the semi-legendary Grey Horse pub. Lou was up for it, and with tnms's own Lucy just 5 minutes down the road from the venue a (very) mini tnms meet was hastily organised! Now, the key thing about Bad Influence always was Val Cowell, a stunningly good vocalist in the Christine Perfect mould, and she's lost none of her gritty blues tinged voice I'm pleased to say! With Rich Hayes still there on guitar from my day all was well - the fact that the rhythm section consisted of Peter Greens bass player and Harry James (of Thunder/Magnum fame) sat behind the kit merely added to a great sound. I recall, through the haze, particularly rousing renditions of Rory Gallagher's 'Messing with the Kid', Tom Petty's 'Running Down the Dream' and 'Standing on Shaky Ground', a song who's provenance caused me a severe headache on the bus home before it finally dawned on me that I was recalling Bernie Marsden's version of some blokes song by that name!

At the end of the day it's just 'Pub Rock', but played like this you really can't complain! Top entertainment and well worth a look if you see the name around your parts!

I used to love Romeo's Daughter - I have their debut on CD and Vinyl signed (I won the vinyl on ITV's late night rock show The Power Hour :-)). Saw them supporting FM in 1989 and got a kiss from Leigh Matty. :-)

THanks a lot for that Neil, and thanks a lot for the pic. I thought my dad hadn't got one, as I thought he'd been to the Menin Gate, but missed seeing his uncle's name. However he's been back since and photographed it himself - not that he told me - but it's all grist to my genealogical studies mill.

I'm so pleased he's been there. I was looking at the picture earlier and thinking how sad it is that Edwin is only remembered by a name carved in stone - one of so many thousands. But it was good to say 'hello' to him for you Nick :)

We were able to take a couple of the boys to cemeteries that had their great great uncles buried in - one of them was quite overcome at being able to stand on this poor man's grave and run his fingers over his name......

Another lad had a relative on the memorial at Tyne Cot - turns out he was in the same regiment (Machine Gun Corps) as MY great Uncle and the names are on the same panel! They died within 3 days of each other during the battle of Passcendaele and in all likelihood knew each other!

Good to meet for the first time Felix and Jenny - hope we gave the right impression ;D

Despite spending the best part of 4 hours in the pub I still didn't manage to have a decent conversation with most people which is most frustrating! So be warned, Louise is already thinking we should have another non-gig related gathering later in the year!

Highlights of the pub would be Lucy getting things out for eveyone to see - I think it's fair to say we were all REALLY impressed by her whistle (probably didn't need her to blow it though ;) ) Food was great, beer was drunk and the Mojo quiz attacked with great gusto - though as Oz pointed out the lack of Barclay James Harvest questions did put me at a distinct disadvantage ::)

I seem to remember waistlines be discussed as well......why was that?

Anyway Terry falling off her chair was the cue for us to stumble across the road to the Water Rats for the main event of the evening. It's a pretty small venue...ok, tiny! A but if judicious pushing and shoving got us a good position over to the right which was fine until Oz and I decided to have a piss before the band came on! 2 minutes to get out and about 20 to get back to our original place only just avoiding a diplomatic incident with a drunken Scot - fortunately his bark was far worse than his bite.

I have to agree with others about the overall sound for PRR. there is just SO much going on sonically that they need to realise that more volume simply doesn't work! The vocals are mostly lost in the layers of sampled and triggered background music which is really frustrating as they are clearly a talented bunch doing something a little different. I can't quite nail the 'style' - ambient/dance/rock/club/space rock maybe?

Having said that, we both enjoyed it enough to want to see them again - but they really need to sort that sound out. They had exactly the same problem when we saw them supporting Blackfield and as i Say, it's most frustrating :-/

So, we bunked out during the last song of the encore as Lou needed the loo! Turned out to be a good move as we caught the 11:09 from Waterloo by about 30 seconds!

Great fun - thanks to all for the cd's and to Patrick for the Gary Sheffield book :)

Another excellant show by BOC! Met up with Bez and Rascal in the usual pub for a couple of pre-gig drinkies and a chat - hay fever and the futility of on-stage knob twiddling by guitarists of all ages were covered in depth this time around

Wandered down to the forum about 8ish which was somewhat busier than we had expected - at last check there was a queue of 7 outside! Caught the last couple of numbers by the support, another young bluesy guitarist called Ollie Brown, who could be worth further investigation.

BOC are a bit of a guilty pleasure for me - they have quite a unique 'sound' which, despite losing a number of original members over the years, they have managed to maintain. The fact that the two who remain were/are the core of the band (guitarists/vocalists Eric Bloom and Donald 'Buck Dharma' Roeser) probably accounts for that, and it's great to see the two of them having fun up on the stage. On stage with the two of them on this occasion were Ritchie Castellano (this year keys and guitar - it had been bass last time out, talented fecker!), Jules Radino on drums and Danny Miranda - soon to hit the road with Queen - on bass.

With a fairly sparse crowd we found ourselves about 6/7 rows from the front and fairly central by the time BOC came on stage spot on 9pm. The set list tonight was a little different from a couple of years back but brilliant all the same. sound was bit distant to start with - hard to tell what was coming off the stage and what was going through the PA - and the vocals were all over the shop for most of the night, varying from song to song, which was bit annoying!

After a fairly safe start it was great to hear 'Joan Crawford' and 'Buck's Boogie' get an airing - the latter just a warm up though for the guitar maestro, his best moment yet to come! 'Black Blade' was great as well, with for once a good clean vocal from Eric.

We were offered the choice of 'Last Days of May', 'Astronomy', and 'Veteran of the Psychic Wars' towards the end of the main set, all of which would have been good but 'Astronomy' won the vote and it turned out to be an inspired choice. A great song was elevated to new levels by Buck's playing, he was absolutely on fire and was easily song of the night for me.

The 90 minute set closed with the usual 'Godzilla' (featuring mercifully short bass and drum solo's and what sounded like someone strangling a cat on bv's?) and, of course, 'Don't Fear the Reaper' and I primed myself for an early exit dependent on choice of encore! the opening chords of 'See you in Black' saw me heading out the door for that early train (just made it!), which meant I missed D&S which was a bit of a bummer (2 encores!!)

Overall, great fun again - shame the sound was bit iffy, but it did improve from about 'Black Blade' on - and Buck was in fine form all night.

I'm not that familiar with John Mayer but the wife quite likes him so, when Lucy said she had a couple of tickets going spare, who was I to argue!

After a couple of drinks in a Wetherspoons that makes the one in Leatherhead look sophisticated and, err....clean, we wandered down to the Academy in time to catch the last few numbers by the support (can't remember the name, pleasant enough though) before taking advantage of the break to nab a spot about 10 yards in front of the desk, dead centre from where i had a terrific view, Louise could bob around and see ok and Lucy had a good look at the middle of some blokes back... However, it was stiflingly hot in there, and I'm amazed that Lou managed to last out for the main set.

Mayer came on just after 9 and played for about an hour and 40 - followed by a three song encore which we had to miss as Lou was wilting, badly!

Sound was ok - no more than that - drums sounded very thin to me and oddly the keys were buried somewhere below the three guitars for much of the time. Not sure if it's a trait of the Academy or not as I'm not overly familiar with the venue.

Mayer's band, on the other hand, were the dog's nad's - tight as the proverbial and oozing class. Quite a surprise to see Robbie McIntosh up there on guitar - the man certainly gets around! All in all it was an 8 piece if you included the occasional horn/sax accompaniment.

That said I find it hard to categorise this type of music - elements of blues/soul/rock are all there (hey, that IS music!) - and at it's best it was stunning, particularly opener 'Belief', 'Slow Dancing...' and 'Vultures', at the other end of the scale (but by no means awful), Gravity just came across as slushy, though I'm sure he girls would disagree!

Overall, pleased I made the effort to check the guy out - he can certainly play, even if it is a touch too 'smooth rock'* for me...

7/10 - would have been an 8 with better sound and less sweat!

Set List

BeliefI Don't Trust MyselfBigger than my BodyCrossroadsSlow Dancing in a Burning RoomWaiting on the World to ChangeMercyVulturesWheelNo Such Thing >> Why GeorgiaStitched UpGravity

I'm not that familiar with John Mayer but the wife quite likes him so, when Lucy said she had a couple of tickets going spare, who was I to argue!

After a couple of drinks in a Wetherspoons that makes the one in Leatherhead look sophisticated and, err....clean, we wandered down to the Academy in time to catch the last few numbers by the support (can't remember the name, pleasant enough though) before taking advantage of the break to nab a spot about 10 yards in front of the desk, dead centre from where i had a terrific view, Louise could bob around and see ok and Lucy had a good look at the middle of some blokes back... However, it was stiflingly hot in there, and I'm amazed that Lou managed to last out for the main set.

Mayer came on just after 9 and played for about an hour and 40 - followed by a three song encore which we had to miss as Lou was wilting, badly!

Sound was ok - no more than that - drums sounded very thin to me and oddly the keys were buried somewhere below the three guitars for much of the time. Not sure if it's a trait of the Academy or not as I'm not overly familiar with the venue.

Mayer's band, on the other hand, were the dog's nad's - tight as the proverbial and oozing class. Quite a surprise to see Robbie McIntosh up there on guitar - the man certainly gets around! All in all it was an 8 piece if you included the occasional horn/sax accompaniment.

That said I find it hard to categorise this type of music - elements of blues/soul/rock are all there (hey, that IS music!) - and at it's best it was stunning, particularly opener 'Belief', 'Slow Dancing...' and 'Vultures', at the other end of the scale (but by no means awful), Gravity just came across as slushy, though I'm sure he girls would disagree!

Overall, pleased I made the effort to check the guy out - he can certainly play, even if it is a touch too 'smooth rock'* for me...

7/10 - would have been an 8 with better sound and less sweat!

Set List

BeliefI Don't Trust MyselfBigger than my BodyCrossroadsSlow Dancing in a Burning RoomWaiting on the World to ChangeMercyVulturesWheelNo Such Thing >> Why GeorgiaStitched UpGravity

DaughtersGood Love is on the WaySay

Hey - you agreed to go before I bought the tix!

I managed to see a bit more than someone's back- but with hindsight I should have got seats upstairs or got there earlier to get nearer the front - though standing all that time would have been difficult. I really wish I was taller, it is so fecking annoying having to crane my neck/stand on tip-toe - :( ah well

BUT the music was fantastic. Great, great band - sooo enjoyed their playing. :D It was worth it just for them.

I thought the sound was cool too - although I bow to Pudder's superior knowledge about the keys. My criteria for judging always is-

As a result of that rare thing - a band that all four of us like to various degrees - it was no brainer that we would be heading out to Twickenham for this gig. Many thanks are due to the usual person for securing top seats - in the Lower Tier of the East Stand, pretty close to the stage.

With no pre gig meet to worry about (for us anyway) we drove up to Lucy's gaff in Kingston and parked on her driveway and then we all strolled into the town centre to make the short (12 minute) train journey to Twickers - with Lucy staying on the train as she was heading for a posh party at Windsor Castle, like you do ;).

Arrived in plenty of time to check out the Merch stalls before taking our seats for opener Lauren Harris who, frankly, wasn't up to much, although she had mastered the art of saying 'feck' every other word ::)

Avenged Sevenfold were greeted with much excitement by my offspring, and slightly disapproving looks from mum & dad (well mum anyway, dad was caught on camera singing along to one number ::) )

The time before Maiden came on stage was taken up with the 'where the feck are Neill, Patrick Steve and Jonners' game. culminating in the Pudders clan giving it large with the waving ;D)

So, to the main act:

I love that anticipation just before the band hits the stage - enhanced tonight by the full PA kicking in whilst UFO's 'Doctor Doctor' was playing, to which the crowd sang along enthusiastically. It's been 20 years since we both saw Maiden (on the Seventh Son tour) and we were both concerned that Bruce wouldn't be able to hit the vocal highs tonight, so it was with some trepidation that we rose to our feet as the opening film flickered onto the screen, followed by Churchill's speech before the band burst onto the stage and into the classic Live After Death opening salvo of 'Aces High' and '2 Minutes to Midnight'. We needn't have worried, from the first Dickenson's voice was superb and he proceeded to spend the rest of the night haring about the stage like a twenty year old putting on a quite remarkable performance for such an old fecker ;)

The overall sound was also pretty good - despite the wind 'snatching' it away every so often - vocals were well up in the mix and only problem was Janick Gers' guitar which was often lost behind the wall of sound that Adrian Smith and the maestro Dave Murray were pounding out, (thought Murray was a bit of a legend last night to be honest, with young guitar hopeful, Luke, studying his every move on the big screens). Steve Harris underpinning bass came through nicely as well and the drum sound was spot on as well - though we couldn't actually see Nicko from where we were sat, apart from the odd drumstick up in the air.

As you'll see from the setlist, not much to argue with there! Highlights? Actually...it was such a shit hot set that it's almost impossible to single out individual numbers but - the opening salvo of Aces High and 2 Minutes, Number of the Beast and Powerslave all stick in the mind but, when asked on the way home by Lou what we thought the BEST song of the night was both Sam and I said 'Rime....' together and that's hard to argue with! But it was such a strong set that picking one or two out is being, well, picky!

Great to see Sam up on his feet throwing the devils horns and singing his heart out ALL night, joined at intervals by Mrs Pudders (it's her band after all!) and young Luke.

I might be over stating it, not having seen them for 20 years but this really was a top, top performance and show - and for that it gets a ..............

9/10

Set - nicked from Neill's post elsewhere ;)

Intro. Churchill's Speech1. Aces High - From Powerslave (1984).2. 2 Minutes to Midnight - From Powerslave (1984).3. Revelations - From Piece of Mind (1983).4. The Trooper - From Piece of Mind (1983)5. Wasted Years - From Somewhere in Time (1986).6. The Number of the Beast - From The Number of the Beast (1982).7. Can I Play With Madness? - From Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988).8. Rime of the Ancient Mariner - From Powerslave (1984).9. Powerslave - From Powerslave (1984).10. Heaven Can Wait - From Somewhere in Time (1986).11. Run to the Hills - From The Number of the Beast (1982).12. Fear of the Dark - From Fear of the Dark (1992).13. Iron Maiden - From Iron Maiden (1980).

Encore14. Moonchild - From Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988).15. The Clairvoyant - From Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988).16. Hallowed Be Thy Name - From The Number of the Beast (1982).

Louise has commented about the slight lack of atmosphere up in the stands - though we were stood for pretty much the whole thing and tried to create our own little bit of Maiden Heaven - and we did manage to sit behind a row of extras from Deliverance who couldn't stop talking/walking out for a beer/piss who did get on my nerves a bit ::)

Another cracking performance from the Tree to close their mini European joint, at the newish Indigo2 venue.

Day started early for some of us with a tnms presence (Lucy) at the Bookham v Epsom & Ewell U14 Premier league clash (3-2), followed by lunch and the arrival chez Pudders of Neill. Lucy had very kindly offered to drive to negate the lack of a tube train to the venue, a wise choice it turned out. Good run round the motorway (45mins) saw us arrive at the Dome about 4:30 and we wandered off to find the pub recommended by Patrick, The Pilot Inn, which turned out to be great choice with good range of Fullers beers keeping us all happy (especially Q who was knocking back the ESBÃ¢â‚¬â„¢sÃ¢â‚¬Â¦Ã¢â‚¬Â¦). We were actually first in, but were soon followed by Chris who had taken the clipper down the Thames, Jon (Basspedalman) Tom Garrett and party, then Ron and the Berr, Stu Clark and Oz Ã¢â‚¬â€œ there were other around as wellÃ¢â‚¬Â¦.I forget!

Once again, with Stu present, we demanded a story from our learned friend Ã¢â‚¬â€œ this time it was the strange and mysterious tale, based in a Dutch village, of the invention of the telescope, with elements of forgery and deception thrown in for good measure!

Anyway, we wandered up to the venue about 7:30 and, after a couple of navigational errors (which meant we wandered past John Wesley at one point, Ã¢â‚¬Å“Hi Wes!Ã¢â‚¬Â) we found our way into the Indigo2. What a cracking place, clean, spacious, andÃ¢â‚¬Â¦..nice toilets! Oceansize were just starting as we came in and we settled down close to the edge of the step down onto the main floor behind a pissed fan of aforementioned band. I found them thoroughly underwhelming, which was a shame but, as soon as their set ended and the fan in front buggered off back to the bar Louise nicked his spot which meant she had a pillar to lean on and a good uninterrupted view of the stage.

PT came on at 8:55 and played for 2 hours, including a two song encore. This was the 6th time I had seen them and it was an absolute delight to have such a great sound for once! Yes, at times the lower frequencies were a tad in your face (or stomach!) but it was never dull, or mushy, or boomy which hasnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t always been the case. A great Ã¢â‚¬Å“protest songÃ¢â‚¬Â opening trio of Normal, Drown With Me and the wonderful Stars Die (at the end of which it seemed like the entire audience did an Ã¢â‚¬ËœeyeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s leftÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ to clock WesÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s guitar solo) was followed by an increase in volume with What happens Now?, and the performance of the night, Ã¢â‚¬ËœAnnieÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s ThighsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢. GavinÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s drums absolutely drilled through you on this and even Louise was moved to say that it was Ã¢â‚¬Ëœbloody brilliantÃ¢â‚¬â„¢!

There was a fair bit of stuff I hadnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t seen performed before Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Dark Matter, Wedding Nails, Prodigal and Strip the Soul and the aforementioned Stars Die. Half Light was played on some bizarre looking guitar that looked like a stocking filler with fabadoozy lights in it and the set closed with the impressive Sleep Together.

By now Louise was struggling so it was a relief in a way that they only played FOABP and Halo as encores (and yes I DID stay to the end!).

As mentioned above, sound overall was very good Ã¢â‚¬â€œ keys were very dominant to start, but that was ok! Vocals absolutely crystal clearÃ¢â‚¬Â¦.just a top, top performance by a band that keeps pushing the bar higher and higherÃ¢â‚¬Â¦..

We got here late-ish and they wouldn't let anyone with balcony tickets in downstairs (I tried more than once) so I ended up having to shout at a few of you from up above.

Never the best way to hold a conversation.

The area near to the venue was very nice. We had a cracking pizza in one of the restaurants and my friends two daughters were quite excited by the fact that Gavin Harrison and his Mrs were in there too. He was good enough to sign autographs for them too.

I saw a few TNMS-ers outside the venue after the gig but really couldn't stop to talk (sorry about that) as we had to get away asap as the girls (one 13, one 15) were getting pretty tired by then.

We got here late-ish and they wouldn't let anyone with balcony tickets in downstairs (I tried more than once) so I ended up having to shout at a few of you from up above.

Never the best way to hold a conversation.

The area near to the venue was very nice. We had a cracking pizza in one of the restaurants and my friends two daughters were quite excited by the fact that Gavin Harrison and his Mrs were in there too. He was good enough to sign autographs for them too.

I saw a few TNMS-ers outside the venue after the gig but really couldn't stop to talk (sorry about that) as we had to get away asap as the girls (one 13, one 15) were getting pretty tired by then.

Maybe next time, eh?

Shame we couldn't have met up Dave, as you say next time maybe!

It was quite funny when we all strolled past Wes in the concourse - everyone clocked him (let's face it you can't mistake him can you!) - but no one let on until we were about 20 feet past when we all regressed into 10 year olds; "That was Wes!" "Yeah it was wasn't it" etc, etc.....

A first for me this - really not sure why I haven't seen Marillion before I guess they just slipped under the radar, although we actually did a cover of 'Cover My Eyes' in the band way back when...... Despite being pretty familiar with the Marbles stuff, and really liking the new album this was a bit of a journey into the unknown for me and , as is often the case, that proved quite rewarding in the end.

Anyway, arrived at the usual pub about 6.30 to find most of the reprobates already there, later to be joined by Patrick and Dave Brenchley and his mate. I think we wandered down the road pretty much together but once inside we got a little separated as myself, Rascal, Oz and Bez found ourselves a sweet spot about 10 foot in front of the desk and dead centre. We'd missed the support so while we watched the stage take shape it gave us the chance for a chat, and to discuss the early action in the Germany England game courtesy of Lucy.com ;)

Marillion hit the stage about 9 and the first thing that struck me was that Rothery was even bigger than I thought! Feck me you wouldn't want to try to stop him rolling down a hill would you? But, size aside, he's an accomplished, if understated, guitarist, technically brilliant but often looking like he's about to nod off! Clearly they are all good at what they do and I was well impressed by Steve Hogarth's vocal performance, though he's another weird fecker with a dodgy taste in frock coats made out of off-cuts from the local Indian take-away's wall paper! The sound was not quite there for the first few numbers but by the time they got to Beautiful it was starting to click and...well, I'll come back to the next number in the set in a minute.....

I was familiar with pretty much everything they played, which helped, and once I'd got over the feeling that I was gatecrashing a private party really enjoyed the show. 'Fantastic Place' and 'Invisible Man' were highlights - and I'm so glad I stayed on to hear 'Neverland'. It's probably one of those tracks that big 'fans' could do without hearing again but for me, first time up, it was everything I hoped for.

But, sometimes you got one of those goosebumpy moments at a gig and last night it was 'Out of this World', a song I had, to the best of my knowledge, never heard before. The lyric is about Donald Campbell and his attempt to break the world record on Conniston in his boat, Bluebird. Of course it failed, spectacularly and tragically, and for some reason last nights performance, with back projection of the man himself and the crash, following a lengthy introduction that set the scene by Hogarth, really hit the emotional button for me (and I think quite a few others in the audience) - you had to be there but it was one of those moments.........

Anyway, back to reality! Time went on and with two 2 song encores I had to give up after two hours as 'Happiness....' started and leg it to make sure I caught the last train home, diving out the venue just after 11pm.

So, after a couple of numbers it was pleasant enough, but from then on it just got better and better for me. A very different concert experience that you could become quite immersed in and well worth the effort.

And NO talkers near us either!

8/10

Set ListDreamy StreetThis Train is my LifeThe Other HalfNothing Fills The HoleWoke UpBeautifulFantastic PlaceOut of This WorldMadThe Great EscapeAfraid Of SunlightThe Man from the Planet MarzipanAsylum Satellite #1Invisible Man

Glad you enjoyed yourself. I cant believe you have never seen them before :o I'd say by Marillion standards it was a good gig which by most bands standards is pretty amazing. They are something special live even when they play tracks I dont like such as Invisible Man.

i thought the main problem was that all the tracks were roughly the same laid back tempo - we could have done with a rockier number or 2. Still some brilliant stuff - that guitar solo from Fantastic Place WOW and as for Neverland.

When i saw before hand they were finishing with Happiness is the Road I thought it was a big mistake but it worked. the whole audience (well what was left of it) sing the title for 5 minutes and the band taking a bow and quietly walking off - it really worked.

There was a bit of scrum for the CDs afterwards I hear but there are a few left. 1 guy on my tube back already had a copy! He must have been first in the queue.

Anyway it was good to see everyone at the pub before hand and I'm looking forward to seeing all and sundry on Saturday.

Well, that's work done for the year and not officially back in until the 5th (can't see that lasting mind). It's easy to think of the shit times over the last 12 months - there have after all been a few - but that would be to ignore some damn good fun, often in the company of members of this here site, so thanks for putting up with me folks!

Well, that's work done for the year and not officially back in until the 5th (can't see that lasting mind). It's easy to think of the sh!t times over the last 12 months - there have after all been a few - but that would be to ignore some damn good fun, often in the company of members of this here site, so thanks for putting up with me folks!

Just hoping that 2009 is a little kinder to Louise really.........

Take care all, and have a good one :)

and also with you :D

I hope you, Lou and the boys have a lovely Christmas - love to all and see you soon.Lxxxx :-*

Battlefields 2009 coming up - just 4 weeks away now - and I've been tasked with editing a rather unwieldy 'Guide' that has developed into a 74 page tome, far to big to grab the attention of 15 year old kids on a 4 day trip to France and Belgium. It's proved quite interesting as I realise that despite having been part of this trip for the last 8 years I've never actually read the thing properly!

So, meet E. R. Kelly, former pupil of St John's Leatherhead. He left the school in 1914 and was commissioned into the Border Regiment. He was killed at Pilkem Ridge, Ypres, on the 7th July 1915, aged 17. I've copied extracts from a letter , and his personal diary below and, finally, the letter from his CO informing his parents of his death. I hope some of you find them interesting.....

Diary extracts:

June 9th Left Waterloo en route for front; Auntie and Rita saw me off. They behaved as I expected, like people with blood. Arrived Southampton, reported, and dined at the Dolphin. Went aboard at 12 p.m., started at 3-0 a.m.

June 10th Arrived Havre at 9-0 am.Roughly; reported to Base Commandant and was told much to my annoyance that I was not to go to Border but to Lanc. Fus. Said goodbye to others; dine at Tortom. Left Havre 11-30 p.m. for Rouen; arrived Rouen 4 a.m., very tired; went to Hotel Moderne.

June 11th Awoke feeling better, and reported to Camp Commandant; am in 4th Division. Spent day in getting kit ready and hearing rumours.

June 14th Ordered to front, very bucked. Leave Rouen 6 p.m. and travel all night, six in a carriage, plenty of food and papers, so not bored. Leave Rouen amid frantic cheersÃ¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬Ëœeep Ã¢â‚¬Ëœeep Ã¢â‚¬Ëœooray.Ã¢â‚¬Â Have supper, cold boiled eggs, sardines, bread, butter, chocolate and Perrier. Sleep. Wake up feeling cold and miserable which is not surprising at 4:30. Have some coffee from some sporting French soldiers, and feel much more bucked, Leave Abbeville for Boulogne. At last after many trials and tribulations arrive at Poperinghe, our Railhead. Wait for 3/4 hr. Finally an A.S.C. Lieutenant takes compassion on me and sends me in company with an Officer of the Royal Irish and we ride off in style in a Transport wagon to the 3rd Company train. On arrival disowned by A.S.C. and have to drag off to No. 4 Company. Here we have a most luxurious mess including port and liquors, and slept luxuriously in an ambulance. It must be admitted that the A.S.C. is the place for luxury and safety. Still they arenÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t Army men, as the Captain justly remarks.

June 15th Wake and have a decent shave and wash. Feel much better after decent breakfast. Start off in transport and reach our own H.Q., where I report to our Q.M., Major Bowes, who is jolly decent to me. Sleep all the afternoon after watching the vain efforts of our artillery to hit a too inquisitive Taube. Start at 6-30 p.m. to march party up to the battalion. Although not dressed like the Tommy one sees in the illustrated papers, music halls, etc., they are fine fellows and what someone describes to me as Ã¢â‚¬Å“good men for a scrapÃ¢â‚¬Â. Pass through a village which has been wrecked by shell fire; it is in an awful state, the Church having received especial attention. Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Homo homini lupus,Ã¢â‚¬Â I suppose. All our boasted civilisation seems to find its supreme expression in the ruin of the house of that Man, whose creed has made us a little lower than the angels. When one contemplates that ruined village one feels that we are a little lower than the beasts. It seems to signify sense at war with soul, for while the ruins show the victory of sense, the untouched crucifix we passed, embodiesthe final victory of soul on the way up, we came under shell fire for the first time, and must admit I felt rather queer. Still I expect it will pass off. Arrived at destination to find Battalion withdrawn from firing line and bivouacked in a wood; feel very sleepy and turn in.June 16th Awake and spend rather a dull day in a wood, the (only excitement being an occasional shell from the enemy who is trying to find one of our batteries concealed somewhere behind us). Go to bed early.

A few impressions of the front. At the base and indeed in all the places in France where I have been, the great thing that struck me was the fact that the war was taken seriously. There wasnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t an able-bodied man to be seen and the streets are full of soldiers. Then the number of women in black shows how universally the war has been felt and suffered. I spent about 23 hours in the train between the base and the rail-head, whence I rode in a transport-wagon to our regiment, which was bivouacked in the grounds of a charming chateau. On the way I just came into contact with real war: a village utterly ruined by shell-fire showed where the enemy had been, while a few shells that passed over head and gave me an unpleasant feeling in the pit of the stomach showed that he was not far off. After four days of idyllic existence, whose only drawback was the number of creeping things, we moved up to the firing line. We set off by companies at about 9 oÃ¢â‚¬â„¢clock and moved straight up along a road in which shell holes were fairly plentiful. Along here bullets were quite frequent and every time the enemy put up a star shell I thought that my end had come and began to meditate on what a promising officer the country was losing and hoping that they wouldnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t put me in with a dead horse. However, I was awakened from this dream by my platoon-sergeant saying, Ã¢â‚¬ËœThis Ã¢â‚¬Ëœere communication -trench is full of water sir; shall we go along the top?Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ A lightning mental comparison made me choose the ills of snipers, which I knew, rather than the evil-smelling, waterlogged communication-trench that I knew not of. We finally arrived at our trench, and after the outgoing officer, a subaltern in the Essex had Ã¢â‚¬Ëœhanded overÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ - a procedure, by the way which makes one tear out hair by the handful, we finally succeeded in posting sentries, evolving order out of chaos and set to strengthen the weak parts of the trench. There was nothing very exciting except a few shells and an occasional burst of firing from the Germans, who were Wurtembergers, and about 150 yards away.The chief drawbacks to the trench system are the lack of sleep (one is lucky to get three or four hours at a stretch, and I hate sleeping on and off) and the lack of washing accommodation. I got two washes and one shave in four days and was the envy of the company for getting so much....... However, it is a jolly fine life and I feel fitter than ever I did. I had my platoon sergeant killed on Tuesday morning; it was my first case and I canÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t say 1 felt very cheery about it. The sight of death is alright but it was the hour between the time he was hit and the time he died that was rather trying...... We have just come out of the trenches and are now in dugouts about a mile away from the firing line. We are not by any means out of range, as some of our men have found to their cost.... I suffered my first scar in the campaign this morning when I cut myself while shaving, but IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m otherwise Ã¢â‚¬Ëœall presentÃ¢â‚¬Ëœ and more or less Ã¢â‚¬ËœcorrectÃ¢â‚¬â„¢.

Finally, an extract from a piece in the School magazine, reporting Kelly's death....

"In a letter received from Major W. Bowes commanding the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers, to which E. R. Kelly was attached, he says: Ã¢â‚¬ËœI have made inquiries from the N.C.Os. and men of his platoon and from what I can gather he was killed by a shell and was buried in the hole made by the shell which struck him. The place where he fell is called Pilken, about three miles north of Ypres. In the three days, July 7th to July 9th, we lost ten officers killed and eight wounded, and about 350 men killed and wounded.... He was such a cheery youth and we all liked him immensely, and he got on very well with his men. He was very young and boyish-too young in fact for this work, but he was very plucky and did his work well.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Kelly's body was never recovered - in all probability, despite the comments in the letter above, he was blown to pieces and there was very little to recover. His name is now to be found on the Menin Gate.

Just been looking through some photo's from last years Battlefields trip (see thread in GC-E for reason!) I know I never got around to finishing the write up last year - thank God you all say! - which meant the Somme was left out. Anyway, this picture struck me as being not bad for something I've taken - I'm usually hopeless!

This is Fricourt New Military Cemetery. One of the ideals behind the design of these places was to mirror the typical English country garden and, considering this was taken in March, I think they've got it spot on here, with the Cherry blossom adding something quite special. One of my favourite (if that's the right word) places on the Somme. As a contrast the rough ground in the background is called the Tambour, where a series of mines were exploded on 1st July, with devastating effect on the German defenders

A carefully planned operation meant this was an all round thoroughly enjoyable night out :)

Sam and I decided the best option for us was to drive up so we pre-booked the parking at the O2, setting off as soon as Mrs P returned with the motor and were pulling up in Car Park 1 just over an hour after setting off - not bad through rush-hour traffic!

We had plenty of time before meeting up with Dave and Michael (old mate and his lad who had our tickets) and the tnms gang so headed of to Nandos for some spicy chicken. Joined Oz, Rascal, Neill, Patrick and a few of Oz's mates in a bar to while away the time and avoid the support acts - though we did catch the end of Machine Head when we eventually wandered in. Having elected ofr standing tickets I wasn't at all sure if I was going to survive the night but, as it happened it was pretty calm where we ended up - about half way back from the 'end' of the stage, dead centre and right under a PA rig. Like Neill I thought someone had fired a shot when they soundchecked the kick drum :D

'tallica came on stage about 9.15 and proceeded to do what they do supremely well. Sound was pretty good (better when I took my bloody earplugs out 3 songs in!), and very loud. Highlights were 'One', 'Cyanide' and 'Enter Sandman' for me - I know the latter is old hat but it's still a monster riff. Sam was delighted to get 'Master of Puppets' and 'Nothing Else Matters'so all in all the Pudders' were well pleased.

Brilliant fun - dodged out as the encore began, in the car by 11.10 back in the house midnight, not bad at all!

An utterly shit weekend in many ways. Lou's dad not at all well, and as thoughts of an inevitable end came to the forefront I got the news this morning (whilst watching Luke playing football with carefree abandon in the glorious Spring sunshine) that a great friend and, indeed, a great person, had lost his battle with cancer at the age of 52. He leaves a wife and two boys, aged 10 and 12, and life is a bitch.

I think the best advice I can give you is that the only way folk (well me at least) get through these major knocks when loved ones/friends are lost is to remember all the good things/times you enjoyed with them and then to reflect on what's good about your current position/life - there are always positives. Appreciating these things and that true friends are there to help out can make a big difference I think.

I think the best advice I can give you is that the only way folk (well me at least) get through these major knocks when loved ones/friends are lost is to remember all the good things/times you enjoyed with them and then to reflect on what's good about your current position/life - there are always positives. Appreciating these things and that true friends are there to help out can make a big difference I think.

Thinking of you all at this time.

Will try to meet up for a beer in the not too distant future too. ;)

Thanks again....and just let me know when you're down this way, will be good to meet up :)

An utterly sh!t weekend in many ways. Lou's dad not at all well, and as thoughts of an inevitable end came to the forefront I got the news this morning (whilst watching Luke playing football with carefree abandon in the glorious Spring sunshine) that a great friend and, indeed, a great person, had lost his battle with cancer at the age of 52. He leaves a wife and two boys, aged 10 and 12, and life is a bitch.

Sorry to hear this. All the best to Lou and her Dad. Neil's advice is good. Hope to see you and Lou soon.

Hmmm, interesting just looking back on the last few posts in here. The good news, which we honestly didn't see coming, is that Lou's Dad is fine! A Combination of infections and a virus led us all to fear the worst but it's now been confirmed that he is completely free of the cancer - when he was told it was like hed had a demon removed from him - he just lit up, brilliant to see!

Lou and I - if we can shake these fecking horrible colds we both have - are off up to Manchester for the Easter weekend to see John Lees' Barclay James Harvest in a fan club gig at the Lowry on Sunday. Hoping to meet up with Mr Field for a cup of tea on Saturday night as well.

We were VERY restrained though ;) I thoroughly enjoyed the gig, Mrs P endured it for the most part ;D Probably write a review of the weekend over the next few days - 'twas good to get away for a couple of days :)

We were VERY restrained though ;) I thoroughly enjoyed the gig, Mrs P endured it for the most part ;D Probably write a review of the weekend over the next few days - 'twas good to get away for a couple of days :)

Good to hook up. I made up for the restraint when I got home lol. ;D

Thanks for letting me sit next to Mrs P in the pub. A rare treat...... ;) ;D ;D

John Lees' Barclay James Harvest - 12th April 2009, The Lowry Theatre, Manchester

This was a fan club only event organised as a thank you to the fans for their support over the last few years - though as the Mellotron Maestro Woolly Wolstenholme pointed out it's not that much of a thank you as "you've all had to pay for the privilege" It was, however worth it in my opinion.

With the gig on Easter Sunday night we took the opportunity to travel up on Saturday - mainly because Lou would have been exhausted if we'd driven up the same day as the gig. This cost me big time as, staying on Salford Quays just 10 minutes walk from the venue, we raided the Lowry Outlet Mall (cruelly situated between venue and hotel) on Saturday afternoon (after a remarkable 3 hour 25 minute drive up from Leatherhead). Chilled out in the evening with a nice Chinese meal and a few beers - it was great to get away and spend some time together without the kids, very relaxing.

Sunday, after a substantial Premier Inn breakfast, and another diversion through the Mall, we visited the Imperial War Museum North. This is very different from the London museum and well worth a visit. We particularly enjoyed the Big Picture film shows and the the 'Timeline' approach to the displays.

Fanboiism kicked in whilst having a cup of tea in the Museum cafe which is directly across the canal from the Lowry when I spotted the band having some pictures taken out the back - Mrs Pudders was distinctly unimpressed by suggestion we forget the tea and leg it back across the bridge to say 'hello' ::)

About 4 in the afternoon we met up with ARH for a couple of pints and a bite to eat in the pleasant spring sunshine before heading off to the gig. I had hoped to meet up with a few of the BJH forum members before hand but, for various reasons it didn't quite work out that way and after a hurried pint we took our seats in the Quays theatre.

The venue was superb - intimate (400+ seats) and very modern in design. Support came from old folky Clare Hammill who sang a few songs and strummed an acoustic for half an hour, pleasant enough. JLBJH strolled on stage soon after and proceeded to play pretty much the same set as when I saw them in 2006 - but we had been warned this would be the case as they were also using the show as a warm up for some American dates and it's very much a 'Greatest Hits' package. We're promised major changes though for the uk tour in October.

There was wonderful relaxed atmosphere to the whole evening - much on stage banter and the occasional cock up (Lees forgetting the opening line to Mockingbird which he blamed on spotting a small child asleep in the front row was one!). But, that aside, musically it was brilliant. Lees' guitar playing was top notch and his singing much better than 2006. The 'hired musicians' Kev Whitehead (drums) and Craig Fletcher (bass), old hands were superb and new second keyboard player Jez Smith fitted in much better than his predecessor I think. But, yet again, star of the show is Wolstenholme. He's madder than a very mad thing but basically ran the show - some hilarious one liners (well hilarious to a BJH fan anyway ::) ) had the place rolling with laughter. He is of course a consummate musician in his own right and possessor of a unique and pastoral - very English - sound in both his voice and his keyboard style. I'm a sucker for the Mellotron so it was great to be close enough to see the thing actually working - there was a glass bottom to it so you could see all the tapes moving up and down - and hear that unique sound.

Set was, as I say, pretty much the same as 2006. Highlights were a stunning 'Suicide' - John's best number of the night, the closing duo of 'The Poet/After The Day' and the first encore, 'She Said' which wasn't played when I saw them last as Woolly had a dodgy voice. It's bonafide BJH classic and came complete with recorder solo from John - fantastic! Final number had to be Hymn - couldn't really not play that on Easter Sunday!

Only down side was, considering it was 'private hire' do, the over officious knob from the Lowry stopping people taking pictures - oh how we laughed after catching someone when he turned and tripped up the stair falling flat on his face - justice!

Great weekend and a great gig

9/10

Set List:

For No OneThe Great 1974 Mining DisasterPoor WagesIron MaidenChild of The UniverseLoving is Easy (X-Rated!)Light at the End of the World (New song)Poor Man's Moody BluesGaladrielHarbourSuicide?Medicine ManIn Search of EnglandH'ors d'oeuvre Mocking BirdThe PoetAfter the Day

I'm growing to really like the O2 as a venue - and last nights performance by ACDC just added further to my liking of the place. Driving up is so easy for us - even when the traffic was heavy as it was last night , it didn't take much over an hour to get there. With 3 of us in the car the Ã‚Â£19 for pre-booked parking is a bargain compared to train fares and we've always managed to get out of the car park and away fairly easily (last night journey home took 45 minutes from start to finish).

Anyway, after grabbing a bite to eat and meeting up briefly with Matt to console him over the pain of a Ã‚Â£4+ pint we headed into the Arena to see support act The Answer. I've got the first album and really like it and after last night I'll be searching out the new one as well - I thought they were excellent, despite suffering from 'support band' sound problems (though in fairness it wasn't that bad).

The stage set up for ACDC looked impressive - with a ton or two of PA hardware hanging from the rafters and a lighting rig that promised much (and delivered). The place was packed to the gunwales and I have to say I was quite pumped up by the time the arena lights dimmed and the intro film began, leading into opening number 'Rock 'n' Roll Train' from new album Black Ice. Would Brian Johnson (61), Angus (54) and Co. still be able to hack it we wondered? Hell yes! What followed was a blistering, 2 hour, heavy rock show that seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. The energy that the two main men expended in that time was probably enough to power the stage set up alone! And it was great to see and hear Phil Rudd behind the kit, along with Cliff Williams on bass and the never to be underestimated Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar.

The set was nicely balanced between new and (golden) oldies and in the main the new stuff came across pretty well I have to say - especially the set opener. But, lets face it, it was the classics most were there to hear, and none of us were disappointed. Favourites? Well.......err....all of it actually! Want me to be picky and maybe Anything Goes (another Black Ice number) was a touch too formulaic (even by ACDC standards) but that really is me being....picky! The Jack was great though....as was Shoot to Thrill...and You Shook Me....and Let There Be Rock....and, well you get the picture! The sound was spot on - bloody loud but sharp as a pin where we were sat (top seats it must be said, the same row as Jimmy Nail who asked if he could get pass me and I never even noticed who it was, much to Lou's amusement ::) ). The whole presentation was very, very impressive - lights, staging and effects all added to the experience.

With Mrs Pudders and Sam both rating it as one of the best gigs they have ever seen (a tough call for Louise after the mighty BJH a few days before ;) ), frankly, who am I to argue.

The stage has a walkway out into the centre of the standing section and we were dead opposite the platform on the end of that. It's near enough to feel part of the show, but far enough out to see the 'show' as it were :)

Although I'm no real fan of huge venues like this (though decent seats do help) I've got to say they've got it sussed in terms of customer service. All the staff, even (especially) security, are very polite, courteous & helpful, there's ample (clean) toilets (Wembley Arena take note - just 2 gents toilets? You cannot be serious!) & if you've got to pay Ã‚Â£4.30 for a beer at least you're getting treated like a human being whilst being fleeced.

Another nice touch I noticed was a girl employed to hand out cups of water from a cooler by the front of the stage to those in the standing areas. They aren't obliged to do that so credit where it's due.

Although I'm no real fan of huge venues like this (though decent seats do help) I've got to say they've got it sussed in terms of customer service. All the staff, even (especially) security, are very polite, courteous & helpful, there's ample (clean) toilets (Wembley Arena take note - just 2 gents toilets? You cannot be serious!) & if you've got to pay Ã‚Â£4.30 for a beer at least you're getting treated like a human being whilst being fleeced.

Another nice touch I noticed was a girl employed to hand out cups of water from a cooler by the front of the stage to those in the standing areas. They aren't obliged to do that so credit where it's due.

This is spot on. I was very impressed by the whole O2 experience. Apart from the obvious state-of-the-artness and sheer hugeness of it all, the stewarding was top notch, with pleasant, helpful staff and, after the show, the masses being corralled efficiently and courteously. I wouldn't hesitate to go there again as even though there was something like 20,000 people in attendance, it never felt in any way claustrophobic or overwhelming, which you can't say for certain other venues. :)

It's great when you pick up on bands/artists from their support slots - see Bez's just posted comments about Oli Brown for one, and this guy, Aynsley Lister, for another. First sighted supporting the (very) much older and experienced Robin Trower a while back, Lou, Bez and myself checked him out a few weeks later doing his own thing at the Half Moon and were suitably impressed. With this gig falling on a Sunday of a Bank Holiday it made it 'do-able' for us - and offered the chance to meet up with a few of the gang, which is always nice.

So, great to see Bez, Lucy, Mark and Bruce pre-gig. Would have been nice to talk to them too but the fact Camden seemed to have the entire population of London in it coupled with a over enthusiastic DJ playing mostly sh!t (and loud) music rather put the mockers on that.

Queuing up for the gig we noticed a significant contingent from the Joe Bonamassa Forum (easily recognisable bt their corporate badges) - with Smokin' Joe playing the following night it would make for them a good weekend of blues rock. No tantrums at the door this time meant we were able to secure a good spot, on the rail of the first tier, 10 yards back from the stage and pretty central.

Support was from John Amor, formerly of The Hoax, both new names to me but Bez and Mark seemed to know of him. Whatever he was very good - mostly acoustic guitar but with a natty trick of putting a couple of riffs and a beat on a loop then plugging in the trusty Strat and letting rip. Very entertaining and good between song banter.

Lister came on stage at 9:15, backed by a completely new band from when we had seen him in Putney: Midus Guerreiro (that's a girly by the way) on bass, Morg Morgan on organ and Simon Small on drums. For me this is a vast improvement on his previous backing - the bass player is far more 'active' on stage and can play as well! The drummer was a little 'straightforward' if you like - not much fancy stuff, but that fitted the need well enough and the organ added some much needed depth to the whole affair.

As for Lister himself he is clearly an accomplished player and writer - with the material from the new album showing a much more commercial feel as it strayed into the territory occupied by the likes of John Meyer on occasion. But the guitar sound is more blues rock rather than some of the wimpy stuff that Meyer dishes out, much homage to Hendrix and the more recent Bonamassa is evident.

It was a well balanced set, which included a tasty cover of Purple Rain (if you're gonna do it, put your mark on it and I think Lister did that). We had to duck out at 10.30 which was bloody annoying but transport up the spout and Louise's top speed being about -5mph since the MS meant we had no option but we both enjoyed what we heard

I guess it's a drawback of getting older but, today a photograph took me way back....

In the last issue of 'SE25' - an official magazine produced by Crystal Palace every couple of months - there was an article about the 1978-1979 season at the end of which we were promoted to the old First Divison and landed that bloody 'Team of the 80's' tag ::) There are a number of great photo's alongside - all bought back memories of a season when I started to attend matches regularly with a couple of school mates (we were 16 then ).

But one in particular stood out. It was of Mike Elwiss, a largely forgotten striker that was dogged by injury during his time at Palace, but who I always thought was bit special. The picture showed him scoring against Leicester City, in December of 1978. I can still see that goal in my mind and that photo doesn't tell half the majesty of the strike, as Elwiss, back to goal controlled the ball off his chest, dropped it on to his knee then swivelled and volleyed home from the edge of the box.

However, it was not the memory of a quality goal that bought a tear to my eye, it was the fact that sat next to me at Selhurst Park that day was my Dad. It was the only time we ever went to a match together, just the two of us, (don't ask, looooong story!), and I will never forget him jumping off his seat, shouting 'What a goal!!!', then turning round and giving me a hug, father to son.

We spent the weekend in and around Ypres (Ieper) in Belgium - we being myself, Louise and the Head of the History Department here at School. the latter had wanted to recce a few possible alternatives to our usual Battlefields itinerary and he wanted me to come along, which meant that I had to sell the idea to Louise because going without her as things stand was not an option. I was really pleased when she surprised me by saying 'yes'!

So, we set out Friday, arriving at our hotel in the centre of the town too late to do anything other than eat and have a Leffe...or two ::)

Saturday saw us heading south of the town to explore the area around Kemmel, Messines and Wytschaete (My fault, I'm fascinated by the Messines Ridge and the mining that went on there). It was at times disappointing (Kemmel) and surprising (Pool of Peace). We'd both rather dismissed the latter as standard school trip fare, but actually there is a story to tell which fits our remit for the trips. The mine that caused the crater where the Pool now lies was late going off - only by 15 seconds or so - but the Irish Regiment had already left their trenches having perhaps heard the other mines (19 in all I think) detonate and assumed that theirs was a dud. Many were caught by falling debris as eventually it went up and some 80 men are buried in Lone Tree Cemetery, where they fell, just below the rim of the crater.

We also went further south to Ploegsteert Wood and investigated a few of the Memorials and Cemeteries there which had former pupils of St Johns buried or named in or on them. The 20 minute walk to find Ploegsteert Wood Cemetery itself was well worth it, what a beautifully serene and peaceful place it now is, a little oasis, an English country garden in the middle of a Flanders wood......

As a comparison to the Pool of Peace we took Lou to see the Caterpillar Crater next to Hill 60 and then stopped for a cup of Darjeeling (I kid you not!) at the adjacent cafe - all very civilised!

Heading back up towards Ieper we popped into Bedford House (OJ hunting again!) Polygon Wood and New Buttes Cemeteries before heading back into town for a rest before taking Lou up to the Menin Gate for the Last Post. It was absolutely packed and, sadly, for me, has lost something over the last few years. So many people don't really understand what it's about (not their fault really), it would do no harm to make an announcement just before 8 to explain the routine - maybe that would stop the constant chatter in the silence?

On Sunday we visited some 'old friends' - mainly for Louise's benefit again. Tyne Cot - like all the cemeteries we visited, looks so different in the Summer, with all the flowers in bloom, yet still takes me back. Louise was quite overwhelmed by it I think - especially when you see the family name carved into a stone.......... Then we moved onto Langemark, the dark and brooding German cemetery nearby, and one that Lou found most uncomfortable to visit (anyone who has been there will no what she means I think?).

After that we spent some time looking for the stone that Harry Patch had unveiled last year, eventually finding it in a dusty layby on the banks of the Steenbeck, just outside Langermark.

Finally, we took in Toc H at Poperinge, the house where Generals and Privates could be on first name terms (depending which room they were in!). Travelling to Poperinge and then to Calais (we had to go north out of Pop as the motorway was shut to the south) meant I jumped to WW2! The route, north form the Mont des Cats, through Poperinge then Krombeke before turning west for Dunkirk is the same route my dad followed in May 1940 as he headed for the beaches and safety - certainly made me think!

Louise's joy at being away from TMS was shattered when reception improved on the harbour front at Calais in time to hear North out stumped, but returned when I spectacularly spilt a full (large) coffee all over myself on the boat back!

Anyway, it was great to get away. Lou didn't find the content of the trip as boring as she feared, indeed her teachers input was valuable as we assessed potential new sites to visit. But she did find it physically very demanding and wilted into the afternoon on both Saturday and Sunday. It seems progress is very slow at the moment....

Thanks for all this. Your photos from these trips are always very moving and a good read too.

While at my grandmother's house in France this summer I found a box full of old letters and photos. It included a picture of her father (so my great grandfather) in uniform with his friends from 1914 just before they left for the army. Fortunately he wasnt in the trenches as he had flat feet or a bad back or something. But it still, makes you think what previous generations had to go through and we have not had too :-\

Thanks for all this. Your photos from these trips are always very moving and a good read too.

While at my grandmother's house in France this summer I found a box full of old letters and photos. It included a picture of her father (so my great grandfather) in uniform with his friends from 1914 just before they left for the army. Fortunately he wasnt in the trenches as he had flat feet or a bad back or something. But it still, makes you think what previous generations had to go through and we have not had too :-\

Patrick

Thanks Patrick :)

I have a picture of my Grandfather in uniform - quite a rarity as he was only 'in' for a few months before being Honourably Discharged for being blind in one eye and shooting someone on the range!! Fortunate - he was in the Queen Victoria Rifles who had a Hell of a war (as of course did many/most).

Just been sorting out some pictures for the book and came across this beauty - nothing to do with what I'm writing about of course but pretty spectacular.

This is HMS Malaya, a Queen Elizabeth Class Battleship displacing 31,000 tons. Picture taken by my Dad's cousin Ron who who was serving on a destroyer at the time - probably convoy escort to Malta sometime in WW2.

You can have second dibbs if you like? Head of History is getting his copy end of this week. You might get it by half term - would welcome a second opinion. Just one copyright issue to clear (I think!) then all I have to do is find a publisher!

I think Anthony Beevoir's position is safe but I'm pretty pleased with it overall! Just putting together the pack to send out to publishers but need the first proof read completed first so I can include a couple of chapters that I'm happy with.

At the end of the day if I can't sell it to anyone I'll publish myself - at least it's something that you can approach without too much trepidation these days!

Off to Hammy O tomorrow to see Porcupine Tree.....which will be exactly 31 years and 3 days after my first ever gig experience, at the very same venue. Barclay James Harvest opened that night with a song called Nova Lepidoptera which, coincidentally, the John Lees fronted version of the band dusted off for a gig they played in Berlin last Sunday.

I approached this one with a little trepidation as I was concerned how the new album would 'work' live, and also how the seated format would affect the evenings proceedings! Louise had done as little as possible over the previous 48 hours to try to ward of the chronic fatigue she now suffers from and she was looking forward to getting out for the first time in a couple of months.

Anyway, travel plans were fairly fluid up the last minute with the result that Neill drove over from Crawley to join us in Leatherhead before we all headed up to West London in our car. Having left here at 4.10 we were on the Fulham Palace Road less than a mile from the venue by 4.50..............and still on it at 5.50 ::). Not that it really mattered as we had plenty of time and once Neill guided us into the rumoured parking spot at the rear of the Apollo (highly recommended!), we were able to stroll round to the Box Office and pick up our tickets.

So, plenty of time to have a meet up and a chat in the pub. Good turnout to, despite Ron and the Berr being held up on the M1 due to an incident ;). Good to meet Dave for the first time, even if it meant we were surrounded by Gooners with Oz, Mark and Lucy also there! Other clubs represented were Man U (Bisto), Oxford Utd (CQ), Luton Town (Bez), Palace (me and the wife), Liverpool (Neill) and unknown (Patrick, Jon Dahms).

Wandered back in to the Apollo just after 8 as I wanted to catch up with a couple of people there, including Keith & Monica who run the BJH fan club/forum (more bloody Arsenal supporters as well!). Our seats were a little disappointing being well right but the view wasn't that bad being 7 rows back. Personally I have never had a problem with seats and I didn't think it affected my personal enjoyment of the show and it was God send for Louise - though I agree the overall atmosphere in the venue was bit flat as a result.

PT play the whole of their current album, The Incident, in the first half of the show and it's an impressive performance. Lucy I think it was commented that it would have been better if people had waited to the end to applaud - like you would a classical symphony - maybe.

Sound was actually not too bad where we were - the first crashing guitar chords cut through nicely and although the bass was too high in the mix (and Steven and Wes too low!) it really wasn't THAT bad at all.

So, to the music (at last ::) ). Overall the Incident works really well live - my main criticism would be that there were some quite obvious breaks between some sections which kinda spoiled the 'performance' - I wonder if it would be possible for Richard to fill them? Having said that the light and shade evident in the piece comes across brilliantly - the crashing opening of Occam's Razor through the rocking Blind House then down to the beautiful Kneel and Disconnect covering all bases. Time Flies was magnificent (Lou doesn't really 'get' the album but really enjoyed that one) and overall it DOES transfer to the live setting well. I'd like to see them again later in the tour when they've got it polished, and from a more central position so that I could take in the back projection a bit better.

Second half was an odd one in a way yet, ultimately, very enjoyable. Sound was very much better for a start and great to hear (at least a part of) Russia on Ice though the change to the second part of Anaesthetize was a bit clunky :-\ Louise likes Lazarus so that was good - and I like Strip the Soul so ditto! Actually highlight of the second set was Bonnie the Cat which I thought was brilliant!

Now, if Louise had been unwell Luke was lined up to take her ticket - and he would have loved the encore as they are two of his favourite PT songs, Sound of Muzak is his GCSE solo piece and we've had great fun playing it and Trains together. I know there were some grumbles and moans but I thought they were both superb and great way to finish a pretty good gig!

Overall, not as good as the Indigo2 last time out but still top quality. The band have clearly moved on and are probably leaving the likes of Q and Rascal scratching their heads a bit but I'm with them (the band) all the way at the moment, probably easier for me as a relative late comer to them I guess.

Final annoyance was having to turn down an offer of a couple of passes to the After Show, but Lou was cream crackered by then so..............bugger!

This was an on/off gig for the few weeks leading up the actual day ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ tickets were not actually secured until 5 days prior to the event when I managed to pick up a pair of fairly decent tickets on ebay.

Luke is a HUGE fan of the band so it was really his night ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢d describe myself as no more than a casual admirer but have always been impressed by what I have seen on TV/DVD of their live shows, so was looking forward to the night.Got up to the O2 about 4:30, LukeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s first visit there, and had a leisurely meal before joining a short queue prior to the doors opening at 6:30 ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ obviously no visit to the bars to kill time with the youngster in tow! Found our seats ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ pretty good even if they were towards the back of the Arena.

Support act were called Prima DonnaÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦competent but a little bit samey, but they did the job of warming up the crowd well enough. Green Day came on a touch late ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ apparently the trains were up the spout (again) - but proceeded to deliver something like two and a half hours of top arena rock. Opening with the first few tracks off the new album (which I really like), Billie Joe Armstrong was taking no prisoners and, having got everyone off their collective arses in the first number he kept up a phenomenal work rate to make sure that sitting down never entered your head! As youÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢d expect they are a shit hot band with Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool driving everything along at a hell of a pace and the additional musicians all exceptional as well. I have a feeling that Tre just might be as mad as a very slightly mad thing but, who cares! I do wonder how many people he kills each night when he chucks a couple of hundred drumsticks in the pit!

It has to be said that the response from the crowd was amazing! It seemed like the whole place was singing and bouncing along to every number and the reaction clearly fired the band up even more. The sound balance was fantastic ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Billie JoeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s vocals were way down in the mix for the very first line of ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‹Å“21st Century BreakdownÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢, but perfect by line two! You could hear everything else very clearly and it was all at a sensible volume as well ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ loud, but not TOO loud. Loads of pyro scattered throughout the show as well and great lighting/effects.

The set obviously leaned heavily on the new album but the band were more than happy to dip back into the recent and not so recent past, keeping everyone happy. Highlights for me were ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‹Å“East Jesus NowhereÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢, ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‹Å“BoulevardÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦..ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ and ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‹Å“MinorityÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢, also a great father/son sing-a-long to ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢21 GunsÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ to be honest I donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t think there was dud all night ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ just a great fun night out and that, I reckon, is what itÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s all about.

Funniest moment was probably the two blokes diving for the t-shirt fired down the length of the arena floor and over the sound desk, blokey on the left pulling off a superb one-handed catch!

The lad came away with a big smile on his face having loved every minute and heard every song he wanted to hear.

Top stuff ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ been pulled up a few times for gratuitous ten out of tens soÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦..IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll give it a 9/10 ;)

The draft ms was handed back to me today by the brave chap who agreed to give it the first proof read! I have much to do in the way of corrections in both spelling and grammar, as I expected, also I need to be more consistent with use of abbreviations/capital letters etc......and I, use, too, many, commas, apparently. ;D

But, he loved it, and thought it was great read which really chuffed me :D

Also, I had an email this week from John Nichol who had contacted me a while back when he was researching his book, 'MEDIC! Saving Lives - From Dunkirk To Afghanistan' which is out this week. In the end he didn't use any of my stuff but, he has offered to read the final draft through - this despite warning me that getting a publisher would be very hard in the present climate unless I was "a chef, a celeb, or Jordan". Still, a nice gesture I thought - and if it impresses him enough well, you never know.

at least you know what a comma is - getting through to pupils to use any sort of punctuation is hard work :-\good luck - am happy to read over it for you, but it sounds like you have good advice already. :)

Becoming a bit of a stranger round these here parts - far too much going on in other (more important) parts of my life. However due to meet up with some of the 'gang' for the Riverside gig on Sunday so that's something to look forward to.

Talking of looking forward I bought tickets today for the annual Bez/Pudders/Shane/special guest event that is One Day cricket at the Oval. In 2010 the chosen match is England v the Aussies (again). Hopefully the banter will be as good as this year and maybe, if we are lucky, 'Juicy' will be on duty ;)

Becoming a bit of a stranger round these here parts - far too much going on in other (more important) parts of my life. However due to meet up with some of the 'gang' for the Riverside gig on Sunday so that's something to look forward to.

Talking of looking forward I bought tickets today for the annual Bez/Pudders/Shane/special guest event that is One Day cricket at the Oval. In 2010 the chosen match is England v the Aussies (again). Hopefully the banter will be as good as this year and maybe, if we are lucky, 'Juicy' will be on duty ;)

This was a keenly anticipated gig, having picked up on this band a couple of years ago at OzÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s promptings both Louise and I have been very impressed with pretty much everything they have released. Bez sorted me out a ticket back in July but with Lou not well she declined at the time ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ only to change her mind at noon on the day of the gig! Mild panic ensued but it was no problem getting a ticket online and, as I had already decided to drive due to stupidly early last-train times it was just a question of how long she would last before the MS switch in her head tripped and she went into shut-down mode! But, getting out is important for her and, do you know, it was bloody fantastic having her there and seeing her loving it!

Journey up was a bit of an arse at an hour and a half but we still managed to get a couple of beers in and meet up with the gang ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Lucy, Bez, Neill, Mark, Oz and our guest Softie for the day, Pete.

We all wanted to catch the support so wandered in about 7.30, to find the place very busy and The Pineapple Thief already on stage. Personally I thought they were ok, certainly very competent musicians, and worth a bit more investigation. One thing that struck me straight away was how damn good they sounded. Considering we were way over to the right, by a bar, under a low overhanging ceiling, the quality of the sound mix was frankly astonishing.

Between band entertainment was provided by Lucy who asked the bloke at the bar (at a Riverside gig remember), wearing a Riverside t-shirt, ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œare you here to see Riverside?ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â

Riverside came on stage about 9pm and played until about 10.40 I reckon. The set included material from all their albums, and the whole of the new album. As hoped for, the mix was just superb where we were and the band members are all fantastic musicians. The singer has a strong voice, with a hint of his Polish accent adding a great edge to it ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ and as a bass player he was mighty impressive. We had a good view, from our side, of the keyboard player who was intriguing to watch, especially when playing the Theremin (sure IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ve seen someone else use one but canÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t think who!). There were quite a few pre-recorded or sampled sequences but his playing was excellent, ranging from the sublime (some lovely piano bits for instance) to the incredibly powerful (the organ in Left Out ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Jon Lord eat your heart out!). CouldnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t see the drummer at all but again, sounded brilliant. As for the guitarist, wow, brilliant! He had a tone to die for, reminiscent at times of David Gilmour to these ears, but a style of delivery perhaps more like Steve Rothery.

The band were clearly having a great time up on stage and seemed genuinely taken aback at the size of the audience, but they deserved the great response they got because they played a blinder in my opinion. Set highlights for me were opener O2 Panic Room, the superb Second Life Syndrome (clocking in at 16 minutes or so, this is proper Prog!) and the new album material.

Louise managed to keep going until pretty much the end before wilting during what turned out to be the last number, so we managed to see the whole show (shock horror!). We ducked out as the lights came up and were away and on the road 10 minutes later, having paid a reasonable Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£6 for the car park and were home in less than hour.

The Pudney jury awards the Polish entry........ 8.5/10

Set List1. 02 Panic Room2. Second Life Syndrome3. The Same River4. In Two Minds5. Hyperactive6. Driven To Destruction7. Egoist Hedonist8. Left Out9. Hybrid Times

Along with a few of the Softies I caught the tail end of Oli Brown's support slot for Blue Oyster Cult in the summer of 2008 and have been meaning to catch up with him again ever since! For those who do not know he is just 19 years old but plays and sings like a man twice that age, as Neill commented last night!

Lucy kindly offered to drive us down last night which was much appreciated. Lou wasn't having one of her best days it has to be said and if Sam had not organised an 18 man poker tournament round our place we would not have been going anywhere! However we splashed our way down to Creepy Crawley and, despite a slight cock up by the navigator (me) eventually found the Wingspan Club, situated somewhere round the arse end of Gatwick Airport - thank heavens for Nokia Maps!!

As a venue it's fairly new on the circuit and is promoted by Pete Feenstra the guy that runs the Boom Boom Club in Sutton and a few other like minded venues - but still quite odd to be paying our entry money to the man himself at the door! I don't really know how to describe the place really - but lets just say it's the first time I have attended a "curry and blues" evening!

Lucy used her charm to secure us a table in the front row, about 8 foot from the stage and we tried our best to enjoy the support act - acoustic blues is great for a couple of numbers but after 5 or 6 I was struggling to be honest and Lou was threatening to lynch me!

However all was forgiven when Oli and his band came on stage. I can't quite decide if I should go for "Tosser" or "Bastard" when describing young Mr Brown - though I should add that either word would be preceded by "Annoyingly talented"! The album, Open Road, is good but the material just improves 100% live. Ignoring, for a moment, his ability on the guitar he has a quite outstanding voice and in Simon Dring (drums) and Fred Hollis (Bass) a shit hot rhythm section.

So, can he play? I'll just repeat...19 years old...get yourself along to see this guy play because he is quite outstanding! Reminds me very much, style wise, of Bonamassa and there are definite elements of SRV in their as well. He's confident, effervescent and......damn good! Songs like Stone Cold and Complicated (both off the album) just came alive on stage with some fantastic playing.

Considering the venue and cost (Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£10) we were thoroughly spoilt with an almost 2 hour set. Sound was actually pretty good where we were (under Oli's nose!) - even when he went walk about and played to various members of the audience, including Lucy (swoon eh?).

Will DEFINITELY be seeing this guy again.

8.5/10 - lost half a mark for the Indian Restaurant in the background!

Have to agree, it was a fantastic show... once I got the smell of chicken tikka massala out of my hair!

Oli is one hell of a player, and a fantastic entertainer. Not much more to add to Pudders' report, except that he said they were recording a new album in January (from which a few new ones were played during the gig). I'll definitely be going to see him again.

thought the bass player was the best actually - and yes it's a six string as we noted when we saw him at the Boom Boom. :P

I MUCH prefer Matt to Oli - not only is he a much better player (however good Oli is Matt is more fluid and smooth) but Oli Brown is skinny as hell - as Lou pointed out on Sat. I prefer much more meat!!! :Dand I'm old enough to be Oli's mother. :-[

Have you really not seen Matt, Puds?

Really enjoyed the gig though and loking forward to the Jazz cafe on Dec 16th

I MUCH prefer Matt to Oli - not only is he a much better player (however good Oli is Matt is more fluid and smooth) but Oli Brown is skinny as hell - as Lou pointed out on Sat. I prefer much more meat!!! :Dand I'm old enough to be Oli's mother. :-[

Have you really not seen Matt, Puds?

I've seen him 2 or 3 times - Bez was answering the post from Neill, do keep up Bond ;)

Schofield is alright - though my thoughts are probably clouded by seeing him last at that silly place in Charlotte Street - picking up on your phrase he's almost 'too' smooth at times. And how old is he? 30+? Certainly should be better than Oli ;)

We've had a number of meetings over the last few weeks that have resulted in the opinion from the powers that be that Louise will have to retire on ill-health grounds. It doesn't seem likely that she will get her full pension as they regard the fact that she has 23 years to go to her official retirement date as too long to predict the course of the MS - but she will get something, something being better than nothing I guess......

So, some serious financial pruning needed - which we discussed over a meal out at the best curry house in Leatherhead because, lets face it, going out for meals is off the agenda for a while!

Sorry to read this mate, my thoughts are with you. Perhaps, as Lucy suggested, there is something less stressful/part-time that Lou could do in her teaching field? Something to consider in due course perhaps. Anyway, Laura and I send our best wishes and will see you both soon :)

Just back from a very good and very rewarding trip to Ypres and the Somme - my ninth visit! Not much to report this year - you've heard it all before anyway but a couple of things worth mentioning.

At the Menin Gate ceremony on Saturday night, the well observed silence was broken by the sound of distant thunder which echoed under the high vaulted roof of the memorial. More followed, and the sky away to the West over the town lit up with lightening. It looked and sounded for all the world like distant, heavy, gunfire and I found myself scanning the names on the panels nearest me, wondering how many of those men had heard similar sounds, and seen the muzzle flashes, as they marched down the Menin Road to their fate.... (Ten minutes later, as we made our way back to the coach, we were caught out in the open in a sudden, tremendous, deluge but it was just rain....we got wet, very wet, but we lived to tell the tale, unlike so many of those who heard the guns' call all those years ago....)

Then, on Monday, in the middle of a beautiful day on the Somme I came across something that really moved me. We'd had a brilliant time - the boys in my small group had been attentive, interested, questioning as we took them to the north of the line, at Serre, then took in the sunken lane and Hawthorn ridge. After lunch we found ourselves at Thiepval, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, sitting high above the valley of the Ancre. Again the lads were eager to learn about the place where they now stood and were keen to find the names of the old boys of our school, engraved in the walls of the memorial.

As they went off to explore I wandered over to the Stone of Remembrance to look at the wreaths lying there. Some were from other schools, some from Army units but one caught my eye - it had fallen over, face down, so I picked it up to place it back against the stone, and read the words on the card:

SAPPER ALFRED HARRISDied November 1916Buried at DERNACOURT in the SOMME. From his 94yrold daughter, WINIFREDand grandson JON. In memory of the father she never knew.Winifred x

Lou's change of diagnosis, from Remitting Relapsing to Secondary Progressive MS confirmed today by the neurologist. Both feel very flat as a result....

Some good news, of sorts. Following one of my 'WTF letters' her employers have informed us that Lou will officially retire on ill health grounds next Friday.....and will now be paid the right amount of notice. I'm meeting the Chair of Governors tomorrow to make some formal complaints - cannot go into detail here, but let's just say I have allocated 2 hours........

Lou's change of diagnosis, from Remitting Relapsing to Secondary Progressive MS confirmed today by the neurologist. Both feel very flat as a result....

Some good news, of sorts. Following one of my 'WTF letters' her employers have informed us that Lou will officially retire on ill health grounds next Friday.....and will now be paid the right amount of notice. I'm meeting the Chair of Governors tomorrow to make some formal complaints - cannot go into detail here, but let's just say I have allocated 2 hours........

Thank you to everyone that found the time to comment on the above - much appreciated :)

So, Lou is now retired - how bloody bizarre is that? For all the wrong reasons of course. My planned meeting with the Chair of Governors didn't happen - someone somewhere took the decision to make what I had said a formal grievance - some issues with the procedure i have to say but, given thought we've risen to the challenge. Hearing next Friday so we'll see.....

And.......Palace at Hillsborough tomorrow! Nervous as feck but, even though the club might well fold, regardless of the result, we'll be getting behind the team from the comforts of our sofa. Look for updates on Mr Ling's site regarding a 'quiet night out' with Messrs Elliot and Savage of Def Leppard in suburban Sheffield last night - only Dave could manage to tie 'work' in with an enitre weekend bender in Sheffield ;D Both here and there, it could be messy by 3pm tomorrow!

Fairly late decision to go for this - just can't commit to things these days - but Lou was really up for it so...what the hell!

Lucy offered to get the booking sorted - including a ticket for out mate Karen, a big Allman Brothers fan that we figured would enjoy the night. So, we headed out to sunny Sutton on a warm night and met up with Loose in the car park before heading in with just enough time to grab a beer before first act of the night - Virgil - hit the stage. Basically a bunch of kids.....that were bloody brilliant! Very SRV influenced I felt but tight as a gnats bits. Virgil on guitar was unbelievable energetic and the rhythm section under pinned everything superbly - drummer is Virgil's 16 year old brother! Great start to the night.

Joanne Shaw Taylor was next up, and Lou, who was wilting very badly in the heat parked herself on the window sill in expectation. I have to say 2 numbers in I was having doubts - the sound had gone belly up and the mix was all over the place but, then, all of a sudden, it clicked and from then on it was a fantastic performance. Aside from the fact that she can play supremely well, she has a hell of a voice and delivered a well paced set, backed by Virgil's bass and drums - what a life for a 16 year old drummer eh!

Oli Brown and the incredible revolving Bass Player Band came on about 10 and played for an hour and, once again, impressed. With just an hour to work in I thought he paced his set really well and he was clearly having a whale of a time on stage. Nothing new in the set from the last couple of times we had seen him but, didn't matter because I think it's probably the best I have seen him actually play that guitar - quite superb!

Frankly I had a great night - helped by the fact that Karen decided she wanted to drive so I just HAD to drink beer ::) ;D It was incredibly hot and pretty busy though (the Sold Out signs were up) - which has completely buggered Lou for the rest of the weekend and probably into next week but she reckons it was worth it - I'm just pleased she managed to pick herself up enough to enjoy it.

If you get the chance to catch this bill grab it with both hands, it's dynamite!

Overall 8.5/10

No set lists - probably most of the songs were called "(insert random phrase) Blues" so just use your imagination ;D

For those of you with an iron constitution here's a very sweaty Oli going walkabout in the audience ;D

Thats good to read Neil.....shame I could have met up with you guys if I'd known next time maybe. All the best to Lou!

That occurred to me as I was writing that up - the Hamsters on 9th July is a possible, then I think some more bluesy stuff come the Autumn. I'll let you know this time! Can you text me or something at some point so I can work out your current mobile number - have more than one logged on the phone and keep forgetting to delete the 'dead' one!

Great read, Pudders. Great to see Lou thumbing her nose at MS and doing the things she enjoys. Whereas most of us would come away with no more pain than a hangover, she has more implications to consider and it's great that it isn't stopping her. TB sez "You do indeed ROCK, Lou! :)"

Judie Tzuke has always been one of my musical â€˜Guilty Pleasuresâ€™, ever since seeing her for the first time in 1981. On that occasion my mate and I had travelled up to the Fairfield Halls in Croydon to see and support her opening act, Woolly Wolstenholme who was playing live for the first time since leaving Barclay James Harvest. To us Judie meant â€˜Stay With Me Till Dawnâ€™ the hauntingly beautiful hit single that intrigued us enough to stay for the main act that night. Judie dually delivered an impressive set that was far rockier than we had expected and at the end of the evening we queued up in the hope of seeing WW but had to â€˜make doâ€™ with Judie, who apologised for Woollyâ€™s absence and signed our programâ€™s (â€œTo Neil, with love, Judieâ€). We were smitten â€“ and fortunately the music was good as well!

Suffice to say I saw Judie a fair few times over the following few years, the last time being back in 1985. I knew she was still recording and touring but to be honest I hadnâ€™t paid that much attention over the last decade or so but, when a blast from the past decides to open their latest tour in the town where you live, and in a venue literally five minutes walk from home well, it would be rude not to take a look, wouldnâ€™t it? So off I trotted last night to the Leatherhead Theatre, via my local pub where I met quiz colleague Chris whose arm I had twisted to give me some company.

The evening began with singer/songwriter David Saw who gave us 20 minutes of voice and acoustic guitar entertainment â€“ he was good value for that 20 minutes though anymore and I think I may have sussed out he was playing the same song most of the time ;) He was quickly followed by Bailey Tzuke, Judieâ€™s 23 year old daughter, and her band (which also included Judieâ€™s younger daughter, Tallulah who is just 15 on BVâ€™s). Thereâ€™s an air of the Stevie Nicks about Bailey, emphasised by the driving drums and bass so reminiscent of Fleetwood and McVie. She has a good voice, perhaps not as strong as her mumâ€™s, and some good material and overall I enjoyed her set and will be keeping an eye on her output.

Judie came on stage just after 9pm and, frankly, blew me away. I honestly didnâ€™t think she would still be able to produce the goods but, despite a slightly nervy start, within 3 or 4 songs she was transporting me back 25 years â€“ she still has a bloody incredible voice. She played an impressive 90 minute set which included songs covering the last thirty years, most of which I was familiar with though even the newer material was impressive â€“ indeed it was eight or so songs in before she played something I really knew, but it didnâ€™t matter in the slightest. Having said that the song in question was â€˜Bring The Rainâ€™ and was quite stunning. When it ended there were just a few seconds of total silence before the theatre broke out into rapturous applause. More older stuff appeared towards the end of the set â€“ â€˜Sukaritaâ€™, another from the first album, â€˜Stay with me till Dawnâ€™ (of course) and a brilliant â€˜Sportscarâ€™ (â€œI challenge any of you to sing along to this one!â€) to finish the main set. A couple of encores followed, the first another magical moment when Judie, Bailey and Tallulah did an unaccompanied version of â€˜For Youâ€™ (â€œit sounded great in the car, hope it goes ok!â€), before closing with â€˜Ifâ€™, a new song that I had heard thanks to Spotify, and was another highlight, and finally â€˜The Choices Youâ€™ve Madeâ€™

Overall a great night out, a good turn out (over 400 Iâ€™d say, in a theatre that holds 500) and it was clear that Judie and the band had a ball! The sound in the venue was actually very good â€“ though we did have seats that were dead centre about half way back so that may well have helped. Spent far too much on cdâ€™s after the gig but at least was able to pop back into the local on the way home...... ;)

If you are or were a fan get yourself a ticket, itâ€™s well worth it! 8/10

SET LIST (I think â€“ nicked from the Tzuke forum, may be a couple missing.....)

Under the angelsSecret agentFaithSubmarine BoyLiamJoan of arcOne minuteVivienBring the rainI willSukaritaLove me no moreStay with me till dawnSportscar

This was one of a pair of special gigs (the other being in New York a couple of weeks ago) and we were promised a longer than usual show with some older material getting an airing for the first time in a while. The prospect certainly bought the TNMS faithful out in force! Having originally bought two fan club tickets my youngest son, Luke, threw a spanner in the works by wanting to go as well! Fortunately Alex had a spare ticket so the plan was that Louise and Luke would have the fan club seats and Iâ€™d sit with Alex â€“ though it didnâ€™t quite work out like that as youâ€™ll see!

Anyways, we drove up having secured both a Congestion Charge concession and a free disabled parking spot at the RAH, taking Neill up with us as well. Once we arrived I decided it would be best to sort out the fan club tickets so Neill, Lou and Luke headed of to the pub â€“ and I joined a throng, that then became a queue but I eventually got my hands on the tix (row 5, dead centre!) and sprinted down to the pub where a pint of lager was thrust in my hands! Good to see, though mostly briefly, so many familiar faces and I discovered that Neph had adopted my family.

We strolled up to the RAH about 10 minutes before show time and found our seats â€“ I was in row 11 over to one side, still good but some way from where Lou and Luke were. As Alex wandered off to get some merchandise I went down to have a quick chat with my gobsmacked son who was still trying to take in the fact he was so close. Hearing our conversation a fella in the row behind them said his mate couldnâ€™t make it and did I want to use his seat? Err, yes please! So ended up somewhat closer than I was meant to be â€“ thanks whoever you are! And apologies to Alex for abandoning him!

What then followed was a fantastic performance â€“ easily the best I have seen from PT live, topping the Indigo2 gig by some way in my opinion. That was down to the song selection really and the fact they had considerable more time to play with. Thoroughly enjoyed the five song â€˜acousticâ€™ opening section, â€˜Pure Narcoticâ€™ is a great song and one of my favourites so good to hear that in there, and I had no problems with â€˜Futileâ€™ either â€“ a good work out for the band!

Shortly after the band left the stage to allow some re-arranging for the rest of the show the string synth chord that heralds â€˜Even Lessâ€™ began â€“ and carried on for about 5 minutes until the band drifted on stage. As it started I looked across to Luke and he was grinning like a Cheshire cat! Have to agree with Neill, this full length version of the song was just a fantastic set opener and the sound was absolutely spot on from the off (it only really drifted right towards the end of the gig when I think someone got hold of the volume control â€“ but even then it was not too bad). Luke would have been delighted to hear both â€˜Open Carâ€™ and â€˜Lazarusâ€™ but for me the highlight of this set was The Sky Moves Sideways, it sounded soooooo good! And they didnâ€™t do anything silly like stop half way though and segue it into something else either! This part of the show finished with a couple of songs from The Incident sessions, â€˜I Drive the Hearseâ€™ and â€˜Bonnie the Catâ€™ â€“ and although the former was played well out of context it worked fine as an individual piece.

Another ten minute break allowed a mad dash to the bar with Luke and we just made it back in time for the start of the 3rd set. This opened with a large chunk of The Incident â€“ in the right order â€“ and sounded miles better than it had done at Hammersmith. Although I knew the Radio City set and was aware this was following pretty much the same pattern I actually forgot they were going to play Tinto Brass so it was great to have that moment of recognition, even if it was only a brief one! One of Louâ€™s favourites â€˜Time Fliesâ€™ followed by the somewhat pointless middle section of â€˜Anethetiseâ€™, and then another â€˜oldieâ€™ in â€˜Up The Downstairâ€™ before closing with â€˜Sleep Togetherâ€™ â€“ a great way to end the set.

The encore of â€˜Arriving Somewhere.....â€™ was as good as I had hoped for â€“ it was dropped like a hot potato far too early after the Deadwing tour if you ask me and I had no problems with â€˜Trainsâ€™ as a final number of the night â€“ it just felt right to me and I was always thinking of Luke as well, at his first PT gig, who wanted to hear the song.

Overall? Bloody marvellous! Great venue, great seats, great sound, fantastic lights and a great atmosphere helped make this a really special show indeed. I was thrilled that Louise, who has had to put up with some shit the last few years was in a good place for the gig and able to enjoy it to the full (and thank God for the seats which she needed on occasion). As for Luke, he had a great time. Yes, heâ€™d have loved to hear â€˜Sound of Muzakâ€™ or â€˜Blackest Eyesâ€™ or â€˜Shesmovedonâ€™ but as a budding guitarist he was in awe of Steven Wilson and, especially, Wes and has been buzzing about the gig ever since â€“ which considering heâ€™d seen G â€˜nâ€™ R the night before tells you something!

9.5/10 from all of us. Canâ€™t wait for the live album!

PS: Journey home was hilarious thanks to an absolutely bladdered Miss Elwell who blagged a lift off us! "Why are you parked here?, why?" "How did you get in here" "Turn left!!!!!" "Putney, I know Putney really well......where are we again" etc

I thought it was a really good version of Dislocated Day as well, fed into TSMS rather well....

Just as an aside its was the 2nd section of Anaesthetise, not the 3rd ;) The 3rd section is completely pointless.

Yes, agree with you on Dislocated Day - should have mentioned that. Wish now I hadn't looked at the RCMH set - there would have been a few 'wow!' moments....

Why play half (or a third) of a piece when they could have bunged something else in there instead? I do like the track but if you're not going to play it all do something else........would have loved 'Shesmovedon' for instance but, that's being really picky though - it was a great gig, really enjoyed it! As I was looking over towards the nutty members of my family i often saw you and Neill rocking away and Wes seemed to have spotted you!

Great read, glad you all had a good time. I have fond memories of the RAH from seeing Helen Watson there (supporting Black of all people!) back in the day. An awesome venue.

Whilst I have had my moments with PT, and think Time Flies is magnificent, my inability to get into them like I feel I should is starting to bug me. I have this constant horrible feeling that they will suddenly click with me in a few years time and I'll be "into them" during the autumn of their career - and will find myself with you lot at their gigs listening to people harp on about how much better they were in the old days......

As I was looking over towards the nutty members of my family i often saw you and Neill rocking away and Wes seemed to have spotted you!

Yeah, you're right! It started off pretty well with Even Less; Bez and I should be representing Team GB in sychronised air drumming in 2012... Wes seemed to be enjoying himself a lot on our side, there were quite a few moments of eye contact, grins etc. Even SW on a few occasions when he came across to stand in front of Wes.

One thing I forgot to mention was the security. They did a pretty decent job I think; they moved a few people back to their seats who had snuck to sit on the floor during the early part of the show, but towards the last 30 mins of the show didn't bother and let the people stand there - they weren't upsetting anyone or doing anything wrong as far as I could see. The aisle next to Bez was quite busy by the end!

Ah, I also forgot to mention this Pudders; when Time Flies started up, a snuck a glance across to Luke and Lou, as I remember Lou saying how much she liked the track in the car on the way up. It was a classic eyes shut, singing the words snapshot; you'd have been proud :P

Yeah, you're right! It started off pretty well with Even Less; Bez and I should be representing Team GB in sychronised air drumming in 2012... Wes seemed to be enjoying himself a lot on our side, there were quite a few moments of eye contact, grins etc. Even SW on a few occasions when he came across to stand in front of Wes.

8)

Quote

One thing I forgot to mention was the security. They did a pretty decent job I think; they moved a few people back to their seats who had snuck to sit on the floor during the early part of the show, but towards the last 30 mins of the show didn't bother and let the people stand there - they weren't upsetting anyone or doing anything wrong as far as I could see. The aisle next to Bez was quite busy by the end!

Yup, agreed, they held them back long enough and even when they crept forward at the end they weren't interfering with anyone....a couple of "gentle leans to the left" were enough to let the interlopers know that they needed to stay in place... ;)

This was a fairly late, though easy, decison to take. I'm a big fan of Trower and when I realised that Lister was supporting as well it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. As usual met up with Rascal and Bez for a couple of pre-gig sniffters (so long ago I can't actually remember if Oz was there!) before making our way up to the venue. The lads had tickets in Level 1 but I'd arranged to meet a couple of mates downstairs so we parted company at that point.

Aynsley Lister's band has expanded and settled down a bit over recent times - bass player Midusz is well bedded in now and there is a keyboard player as well which adds some more depth to the songs. I like Lister and I thought he delivered a pretty good set of bluesy rock, only slightly spoiled by the closing number 'Balls of Steel' which is frankly completely out of context, at least to these ears, but he certainly went down well. Interstingly we had first come across him supporting Trower a few years ago at the now defunct Astoria 2 so not sure if the repeat slot represents progress or not!

Trower was very good and on occasion brilliant! Singer Davey Pattison does a great job of stepping into the late James Dewar's shoes and my only real complaint was the pretty short set - checking Dave Lings site I see it was just 85 minutes but what we got just about made up for the brevity of the set. Undoubted highlight was the Day Of The Eagle/Bridge Of Sighs pairing mid way through the evening. Bridge of Sighs was stunning and probably worth the admission alone - the fact I can actually remember it a couple of months down the line supports that statement anyway!

Can't recall any issues with the sound - though was slightly left of centre about 20 feet from the stage so you'd hope it would be good there!

Like Lister, Oli Brown was first spotted supporting a more established artist - in this case Blue Oyster Cult a couple of years back (more of that later!). We've seen him a couple of times since then and this relatively local gig was too good an opportunity to miss. The Boom Boom is one of a number of clubs that promoter Pete Feenstra books bands for and his enthusiasm for live music is a joy to see these days. He also managed to sort us out a table and chairs for this one, stage left, so he was very much in Louise's good books! This was bit of a Leatherhead outing, mates Terry and Chris joining us, and with ther latter driving there was always a good chance it was going to be a good night!.

Can't remember the name of the support act - then neither could Feenstra when he introduced him which was a little embarrasing to say the least! He played a half hour acoustic set which was 'ok' and not much more..... Oli's band is another that has had a revolving door policy as far as Bass players are concerned but there is a chance I had actually seen this one before! Simon Dring on drums is however a very permanent fixture and rightly so and was recently named drummer of the year in some poll or other ::) Oli continues to mature as a guitarist and together with his tight back line produced another very good set - good to hear a couple of new numbers in there amongst some perhaps over familiar ones - he really does need to push on now which I'm sure he's capable of doing because there is no doubt whatsoever he has prodigious talent. Still, another thoroughly enjoyable night out - good sound as always at the Boom Boom and a solid 7.5/10

Louise got the latest album autographed by Oli after the gig and while we were chatting I mentioned the BOC gig, which made him laugh! Apparently it was a real 'WTF' moment when that one came through, describing the pairing as 'Bizarre!' Apparently they were very nice to him though, so there!

Well, this was a bonus gig as Lucy was unable to attend due to being in the sunshine of Lanzarote with my wife! Cue frantic revision sessions on Spotify plus repeated listens to a couple of CD's Lucy had dropped round. I have to admit to not being at all sure - it was clear we were talking about great talents here but, as Bez mentions in his review, were they just one trick ponies? Anyway's I wandered up to Level 2 after deciding it was pointless to pull the wool over the eyes of the security guy on Level 1 seeing as how he had just pulled Bez up for walking straight past him! So, found myself a decent seat fairly central and settled down for the support, The Alex Skolnick Trio. I thought they were brilliant! Considering their leaders' thrash metal pedigree the jazzy/bluesy re-workings of what were in many cases considerably heavier originals were excellent with plenty of Zappaesque flourishes thrown in and, like Bez, would definitely be up for seeing them again.

So, to R&G. Well, for me the jury is out. Technically you cannot fault them, and the reaction from audience was quite surprising - it was treated like a rock gig which i just wasn't expecting. But that was the first problem really because up in the gods it was perhaps too respectful and I began to feel a little disconnected form the vibe that was clearly coming off the stage. I guess my disappointment was summed up by the fact that, for me, the best part of their set was when Skolnick and his band joined them for a number :-\ To quote Bez again it's a 'hell of a trick' but one trick it is and ultimately that means........it all got a bit repetative. But, there were enough moments of interest, and occasional brilliance to tempt me to try them again - only this time I'll try and be a bit more in the thick of it.

The sound up in the Gods wasn't particularly good either......feck me I'm coming across as a bit miserable here aren't I! ::) Look, i promise I'll give them another go but, for this performance I'll give them a still decent 6.5/10 (and Skolnick 7.5/10).

Another visit to Sutton, this time to see Aynsley's headline set. Joined again by mate Terry we arrived just in time for the support act, Stone Electric who delivered an excellant set - bit Black Crowes, bit Humble Pie and a lead singer that had more than a little Janis Joplin about her, another band worth checking out again. Lister was his usual polished self and the set was significantly different to the Trower support slot from a month or so earlier although Balls of Steel got another outing but he managed to loose it in the middle of the set (sensible). We also got his version of Purple Rain which always goes down well and a couple of new numbers thrown in for good measure. There's an element of John Mayer, with an added edge about his playing which is very pleasing to these ears - all in all a top effort.

Having had a few to drink I wandered up as the band were packing up and had a chat with Aynsley which started off ok but probably disolved into a bit of a mess after I stopped concentrating! I mentioned the Trower conncection and he introduced me to the chap on his left who it turns out was Robins sound man, at which point I completely blanked Aynsley and wandered off with the other fella, wibbling on about how great Bridge of Sighs sounded in September ::) Don't know if he was doing the sound for Aynsley this night but it was spot on whoever was responsible

Anyways, great night out - 7.5/10

Joanne Shaw Taylor, 21/11/2010

So, two days later we are back at the Boom Boom, this time with a tnms contingent (Lucy and Neill) to beef up the Leatherhead (and Dorking) possee. This was a much anticiapted gig for both of us, but especially Louise who is a huge fan of Joanne's. Support this time was a young (15) guitarist called Jake Rigden, bigged up by Feenstra when he introduced him but who had immediate problems when the ipod on which he had his backing tracks froze. Once he got going he was technically pretty good, playing bluesy lead over the background but, after 3 tracks it all got a bit familiar and unispiring I'm afraid - Neill described it as Lift Music, maybe a tad harsh but a vocal would have helped to break up the monoteny. But well done to the lad for giving it a crack - get yourself in a band son!

Second up was the annoyingly young and talented Virgil McMahon - he of Virgil and the Accelerators for those who know of the band. He played a short acoustic set displaying his talents brilliantly and really setting the scene for the main act.

So to Joanne Shaw Taylor! For those who don't know Joanne is a 24 year old from Birmingham. She's blonde, she's pretty...and that's really not important because she has a great soulful voice (recently voted vocalist of the year in the British Blues Awards) oh, and she plays the guitar like no other woman you will ever see or hear! Her first album, White Sugar was good but latest release, Diamonds in the Dirt is a real step up in my opinion and comes highly recommended! Backing her tonight were the aforementioned Virgil on Bass (like I said, talented fecker!) and his younger (15/16 I think?) brother on drums. Joanne was on form from the word go - at least with the guitar - the normally fautless Boom Boom sound seemed to have a few problems coping with her powerful vocals which at times were almost inaudible. Lou thought she just might have been struggling with a cold as well but it didn't really detract from a blistering set. Highlights were an unexpected cover of Hendrix's Manic Depression and her own song, Blackest Day, which was just stunning....I'll say that again, Stunning! Her young backing band were spot on all night and frankly this was one of the most enjoyable gigs of the year for me. There were maybe a couple of hundred people there - even that might be generous - but it was a real privilege to be there. I can't see her playing small club venues like this for much longer to be honest so, if you get the chance to see her grab it with both hands - though she has a support slot with Black Country Communion coming up soon so anyone checking them out will get to see what I'm on about!

We all have our guilty pleasures and I think most of you know that BJH are mine. So there!

For some time now there have been two bands touring using the BJH name. Former bass player Les Holroyd's version seems to have given up trying to reach an audience in his native country and concentrates on continental Europe but John Lees, guitarist in the original four piece, has been touring off and on here for many years, playing mainly the classic back catalogue. Not everyone will agree with that approach, by any artist, but I'm not complaining, far from it in fact. With the return of original keyboard player Woolly Wolstenholme to the touring band a few years ago, Lees' version remains faithful to the legacy of the band, and just to shut the naysayers up the two are now working on new material.

This gig should have been the fourth time I had seen the band in as many years but I had to forego the gig at the Bloomsbury Theatre a year ago due to Lou not being well so was really looking forward to this one - especially with the promise of some fairly radical set changes and new material! Sadly all that went pear shaped just a fortnight ago when Woolly had to pull out of the tour, suffering from nervous exhaustion. For a while it seemed like the short three date tour was in jeopardy but, with tickets sold to a cosmopolitan fan base the band decided to play on. It was decision that I'll admit left me with some concerns but I really needn't have worried.....

I met up with a few of the BJH forum members in the pub before hand, including one fella that had flown in from Japan just for the gig - now thats dedication! We all wandered down stairs to the venue in time to catch the support - Matt Stevens - acoustic, loop type stuff that was pleasent enough as back ground music to a conversation the contents of which I can't reveal because I would have to kill you all!

JLBJH came on stage at the unearthly hour of 8pm as the venue has a 10pm curfew on Fridays. Reduced to a four piece second keyboard player Jez Smith was denied his usual back of stage home and thrust, quite literally, into the limelight. He seemed to have acquired most of Woolly's arsenal of keyboards as well (though not the 'trons, even Woolly has just about given up on those and purchased a 'fake' tron of some description!). It was clear quite early on that the band had decided on the safe option and reverted to the well known set list from the last 18 months or so - but having missed the last gig this was fine for me. Opening with Nova Lepidoptera was quite a thing for me - it was the first song I heard played at my first ever gig way back in 1978 and it set the tone for the evening as it sounded fantastic! True, there were occasional missed notes and the key boards sometimes overpowered everything else but really, given the circumstances the band coped admirably well. Kev Whitehead on drums is Mr Solid at the back, never putting a foot (or hand) wrong whilst Craig Fletcher on bass took over the mantle of MC and the lead vocals that Woolly would have sung. I have to give extra praise to Jez though, he had a hell of a task, doing the work of two and mostly pulling it off - some really minor fluffs just really didn't matter. As for John Lees, he was superb, both vocally and on guitar where he is a far better player than most feel comfortable admitting for some reason. Highlights of the set were Suicide?, Summer Soldier (what a great song - don't think I've ever heard it live before tonight either!) and the magnificent pairing of The Poet/After The Day, frankly as Prog as it gets. I was well away as the crescendo to After The Day reached it's climax..... ::) She Said, the first encore was another great performance as well and it was good to hear during the set a real oldy in Ursula and one new song, Ancient Waves which sounded very promising. I really don't think there was a duff song all night.

The crowd were, I thought, acutely aware of the situation the band found themselves in and gave them tremendous support as a whole, with John in particular getting some rapturous and fully deserved ovations. They all seemed to be having a great time on stage after some early apprehensions - they were I think comfortable amongst a gathering of friends. The attendance was probably somewhat higher than had been anticipated but I'm certain all went away exceedingly happy bunnies, I know I did!

I wouldn't expect anyone else here to understand Barclay James Harvest, frankly I don't care, to me they are and always will be special.

9/10

Nova LepidopteraChild of the UniversePoor WagesMockingbirdUrsulaSummer SoldierCheap the BulletPoor Mans Moody BluesAncient WavesMedicine ManSuicideGaladrielLoving is EasyThe Poet /After the Day

It is ironic that my next post in here pays tribute to Woolly Wolstenholme. Just three weeks ago I was watching John Lees' Barclay James Harvest on stage at the Islington Academy; Woolly wasn't there. A few weeks earlier the news was broken that he had withdrawn from the tour, suffering from nervous exhaustion. I think all of us, the fans, were disappointed at the news, concerned for his health but, ultimately not too worried. Woolly had been in a dark place before and come out the other side, he'd be fine and back in the fold almost before he was missed. Talk at the gig was about how, after that last time he had actually come back full of the creative muse, even the band though clearly missing their joker in the pack, told us 'he's fine, he'll be back in the New Year'. They smiled and laughed, and believed it; we smiled and laughed with them, and we believed it.......

On Monday the darkness closed in and Woolly took his own life. The news when it came left me stunned

Woolly was the heart and soul of Barclay James Harvest as far as I was concerned; that something special, that creative spark that every great band needs to take them beyond the ordinary. That's not to belittle the abilities of John Lees (guitar) and Les Holroyd (bass) in the band, but Woolly simply added the 'something different'. Of course, BJH never did quite 'make it', at least in the UK, but they were at the forefront of the Progressive Rock movement from the moment the four original members first gathered together in Saddleworth. With drummer Mel Pritchard completing the line up they fashiioned a unique, eccentric take on rock, with a particular classical and pastoral emphasis that was everything to do with Woolly. He was a talented multi instrumentalist, best known for his work on keyboards, particularly the Mellotron, but also a competant guitarist who was not bad on the spoons either! But it was those sweeping Mellotron soundscapes and frankly mind boggling arrangements that were his trade mark - allied with an ability to write a lyric that painted a picture in your minds eye, a picture that would often warrent closer attention......

For me it was a sad day when he chose to leave the band, after the tour which promoted the album 'XII', the tour on which I first saw the band play live (in fact the very first gig I went to). To be fair there were some wonderful moments over the following years and, in the main, BJH remained a favourite of mine - but they were not the same. Unhappy with the direction the band were heading musically, Woolly released the wonderful Maestoso. He toured in support of Judie Tzuke and we got front row tickets to see him at Croydon. "I know you're all here to see Judie...." "We're here for you Woolly!" we yell! "Are you mad?" Came the reply from what seemed like just a few feet away....priceless. I remember he played 'The Iron Maiden' that night, a jaw dropping moment.....

After that, well, life kinda drifted along and Woolly quietly slipped under the musical radar. BJH carried on and became massive in Europe, headlining a concert in Berlin to 250,000 people, until the disintegrating relationship between John and Les reached the point of no return, and by the late 1990's it was all over.......

...except that John Lees sought out Woolly and they began to work together again, unknown to me it has to be said! Finally, in 2006, I found myself at the Shepherds Bush Empire, like a kid at Christmas, big grin on my face, watching Woolly walk on stage with John for the first time (for me) in almost 30 years. It was a magical night, the gig reaching a magnificent climax with the pairing of The Poet/After the Day, something I never thought I would get to see played live. Woolly came over like your favourite, slightly nuts, uncle. Never still for a minute, putting his very soul into every note he played. Occasionally John Lees would look across the stage and smile and shake his head, secure in the knowledge that his mate was there, though slightly fearful of what he might do or say next!.

Easter Sunday 2009 saw us make the trip up to Manchester to see a special gig at the Lowry Centre. It was like a family gathering, intimate and 'once again' just a bit special - Uncle Woolly suggesting that one of the audience (Hi Sarah!) should leave as the next song was not suitable for under 18's, and John being distracted by a sleeping child in the front row and forgetting the words to, I think, Mockingbird!

Having had to miss the next London gig I was looking forward to seeing John and Woolly at Islington in November.....and the rest is written already.

At that first BJH gig back in 1978 the PA went belly up early in the show. It was Woolly who stayed on stage and cracked jokes and kept us up to date with all the back stage going ons - most of the jokes were terrible, and all the better for it! So, you see, Stuart J. 'Woolly' Wolstenholme was there right at the start of my live musical journey and tonight I reflect on the loss of an underated, indeed largely unknown, but supremely talented writer, composer and performer.

The Poet (1967)Here I sit watching the day outNo-one beside me who may doubtAll of the words that I could chose to saySo listen, believe, or be gone from this dayI need a friend to walk with meAnd sit in the shade of an old treeTo think nothing much, just agree with my thoughtsTo say nothing much, never tell what I ought

Watching the people pass by nowThey just don't know why or know howThey don't seem to care about all that I've seenThey just walk on by never knowing I've beenSitting up here where I'm wind blownOnly to ask and to be shownThings that would make you believe what I sayI'll tell you myself and I'll show you some day

I had originally intended to catch Steve Hackett earlier in the tour, at the Shepherds Bush Empire but the snow hijacked that idea. I was incredibly grumpy as a result, until someone pointed out he was playing just down the road from me a couple of weeks later. I managed to secure a ticket â€“ the gig would be a sell out in the end â€“ and so it was that I battled through yet more snow and ice and headed for Farnham......

This was my first visit to The Maltings but it was easy to find and, with itâ€™s own parking, easy to access as well. I wandered into the Great Hall just after the doors opened and was surprised to see only a half a dozen or so soulâ€™s right down the front. I was on my own and thought....why not! So I found myself a spot leaning on the stage directly under the mic stand of bass player, Nick Beggs and about 6 foot away from Steveâ€™s operational base â€“ letâ€™s just say I was a happy bunny! That there were no surprises in the set was due in the main to the fact that I was able to read Beggsâ€™ set list, lying on the floor of the stage about 2 foot in of me â€“ but my God did it look good!! We were in store for a mix of old and new, with a good smattering of Genesis thrown in for good measure.

Steve opened up with Valley of the Kings, an instrumental with a Genesis pedigree before he launched into the brilliant Every Day from the 1979 album Spectral Mornings which I had been playing in the car on the way down. Then bang up to date with Emerald and Ash from latest release, Out of the Tunnelâ€™s Mouth and Golden Age of Steam (a â€˜newâ€™ one for me, good though). The opening organ chords to Watcher of the Skies made me wish I hadnâ€™t seen the setlist and that was followed up by Carpet Crawlers before returning to Steveâ€™s own material, the opening set eventually closing with Shadow of the Hierophant, with second guitarist Amanda Lehman taking the lead vocal originally sung by Sally Oldfield â€“ a great set closer!

Set 2 began with a brief classical guitar piece (Hands of the Priestess) featuring Steveâ€™s brother John on flute â€“ really nice, which merged into Blood on the Rooftops, also very nice! I would add that vocals on the Genesis songs were handled by drummer Gary Oâ€™Toole, competently so but heâ€™s a better drummer than singer...that sounds a bit harsh but I don't mean it to, he's just a very good drummer! Then it was back to the new album for Sleepers and a solo spot for Nick Beggs on the Chapman stick which, when youâ€™re standing right under the bloke could only be interesting!! Considering his background Beggs does an excellent job and plays with a real feel that I admit I was surprised by!

The second set closed out with a new song (Prairie Angel) into Los Endos (what else!). Right, Iâ€™d seen the setlist remember? Last song was going to be Clocks, a good closer, no doubt, but preceding it was a Genesis song...... Firth of Fifth is one of my musical â€˜momentsâ€™ and it contains one of my all time favourite guitar soloâ€™s. So here I was, 6 feet away from Steve Hackett, and Iâ€™m thinking, â€œdonâ€™t feck it up Steve!â€ Did he hell, it was brilliant! Iâ€™d have paid the Â£20 just to hear that one song and see, literally see, the man playing it, almost bought tears to my eyes!

The week had started off pretty badly with the death of Woolly Wolstenholme form Barclay James Harvest but this was a tremendous lift and a cracking gig. As youâ€™d expect Hackett has a top band playing with him â€“ Iâ€™ve mentioned most of them already but there was also Rob Townsend on various woodwindy things and Roger King on keys â€“ and the set was well balanced. Canâ€™t really comment on the sound fairly as due to my position I was just getting back line â€“ LOADS of Hackett!! â€“ but nothing was missing really and yeah, it sounded fine. Itâ€™s a very different perspective to see a gig from that close and one that I really enjoyed. Managed to get a couple of things signed at the end and had a brief chat with the man himself which was nice!

Top stuff â€“ 9/10, would take something special to top this as gig of the week ;)

Steve's Set List as acquired by me ;D(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/pudders/SAM_0598-1.jpg)

Some piccies - really like the last one, tried to be arty and it very nearly works!

I saw him in the mid 80's at Liverpool Uni doing an acoustic set. Me and my bro weren't officially allowed in being under 18. We sat crossed legged on the floor at the front. Hacketts bro accompanied him on the flute I think. He eventually ran out of tunes to play so played Horizons twice. One of those gigs I'll never forget. Glad you enjoyed him too!

When this gig was announced a couple of weeks ago my immediate reaction was, â€œI wanna go!â€ This was closely followed by the thought that actually getting a ticket would be a nightmare but, in the end there was nothing to be lost by at least having a go â€“ and after 25 minutes of abject failure, two floor tickets suddenly appeared and were gratefully snapped up by yours truly. I had never seen McCartney before, despite being a massive Beatles, Wings and solo fan over the last 40+ years and from the moment the tickets were secured the excitement began to build. Added to the cocktail over the days leading up to the gig were the non-arrival of tickets (they eventually came two days before the gig) and then the weather chaos on the day itself. At midday it was still looking highly unlikely that we would be able to get up to town, but then came good news; the snow stopped, Neill and Laura were on their way up from Horsham and Operation Macca swung into action! In the end we parked up behind the Apollo at around 3pm â€“ having had a ridiculously easy journey once we left Leatherhead â€“ and after a quick photo shoot we headed of to the pub! Lunch was taken, a few beers sunk (only a few mind, and there was a coffee/hot chocolate intermission as well) and slowly our number swelled. In addition to the four of us, Lucy and Mark appeared having got Kurtzâ€™s tickets the day before, and Chris turned up, but with his Dad instead of Carrie who was too ill to travel which was such a shame â€“ but good to meet Graham!

None of us were too keen on queuing in the cold so we left the pub as the doors were due to open and pretty much walked straight in via a quickly move line of people. Chris was left looking rather forlorn in the Box Office queue but he soon joined us inside where we managed to secure a pretty good spot, dead centre and about half way back. The anticipation was fantastic as the expected start time of 8 slipped by, with a medley of Macca re-mixes and covers playing over the PA. Eventually at about 8.25 the lights dimmed and the band walked on stage to a tremendous reception.....and took us on a Magical Mystery Tour that would eventually last the best part of two and a half hours. Songs from the Beatles back catalogue, from Wings and from Paulâ€™s various solo outings vied for our attention, all presented by an absolutely shit hot band and an enormously impressive main man. Mark had said in the pub beforehand, as we picked our 'song-we-wanted-to-hear' (mine was 'Maybe I'm Amazed')that he couldnâ€™t really screw up with the musical history at his disposal and he was of course spot on. But amongst all the stuff you would expect to hear there were some real surprises, to me at least; And I Love Her had me wiping away a tear it was so beautifully performed, as was Paulâ€™s tribute to John Lennon, Here Today. Some real favourites of mine appeared, in the shape of Drive My Car, Iâ€™m Looking Through You and the aforementioned Maybe Iâ€™m Amazed. I think it was after the latter that I leaned over to Neill and mouthed, â€œthis is fecking amazing!â€

The Band on the Run material was fantastic â€“ what a great album, what a great title track, what a great performance! Let Me Roll It was another cracker from that album â€“ and just look at that closing section, from Something onwards â€“ youâ€™d pay your Â£60 for that run in alone. Talking of Something, lovely to hear the same arrangement that was used at the Concert for George tribute, brilliant! Live and Let Die was the big show piece â€“ pyrotechnics everywhere and the smoke didnâ€™t clear till half way through the first encore!

Weâ€™d dreaded it and it happened, Wonderful Christmas Time was........actually ok in the context of the evening! There, Iâ€™ve said it! A final encore of Yesterday and a closing pairing of Sgt Pepper and The End bought the night to a close. I just wanted it to carry on â€“ it was like being at the biggest bestest party...ever! We sang, we danced, we clapped our hands we waved our arms about we basically had an absolute ball!

Words are never going to convey what it was like to be there, it felt, as others have said, â€˜Specialâ€™. Iâ€™m actually not sure I would want to see him again because it just wouldnâ€™t be the same as this first time!

Right technical stuff: Lighting was relatively straightforward â€“ no arrays of Varilights, just a big bank of old fashioned lights and some follow spots, plus some bright white back lights. For the first half of the first song Paulâ€™s vocals were a little low and the mix just a tad wrong....but within minutes it was balanced and frankly stupendous from then on â€“ we had great positioning mind but damn, it was good! The crowd were up for it from the off, having a great time without generally being in anyway annoying or over the top, and there was a fantastic atmosphere. And....the band were just fantastic ;) top musicians backing a song writing legend and awesome performer...

The verdict? Yeah, it has to be (sorry Bez) 10/10

Iâ€™ve had 24 hours to think about it and this WAS the best gig I have ever been to without a shadow of doubt!

Set List

Magical Mystery Tour JetGot to get you into my lifeAll My Loving One After 909 Drive My Car Let Me Roll It/Foxy Lady The Long and Winding Road Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five Maybe I'm Amazed Blackbird Here Today I'm Looking Through You And I Love Her Petrushka/Dance Tonight Eleanor Rigby Hitch Hike Sing The Changes Something Band on the Run Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da Back In The USSRA Day in the Life/Give Peace a Chance Let It Be Live And Let Die Hey Jude

Encore 1:Wonderful Christmas Time I Saw Her Standing There Get Back

Encore 2:Yesterday Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)The End

Iâ€™ve had 24 hours to think about it and this WAS the best gig I have ever been to without a shadow of doubt!

High praise indeed. So happy for all of you who were able to go, and very jealous too! If I still lived in London I would have gone (if I'd been able to secure a ticket!). Saw Macca at Knebworth in 1990 and he was incredible. I'll never forget the audience singing Hey Jude for at least 15 minutes after he left the stage.

Been waiting to read your review. I picked up from the gig thread that it was something special. There is hope for us all when a 68 year old can pull off "the best gig Pudders has ever been to". 8)

High praise indeed. So happy for all of you who were able to go, and very jealous too! If I still lived in London I would have gone (if I'd been able to secure a ticket!). Saw Macca at Knebworth in 1990 and he was incredible. I'll never forget the audience singing Hey Jude for at least 15 minutes after he left the stage.

Been waiting to read your review. I picked up from the gig thread that it was something special. There is hope for us all when a 68 year old can pull off "the best gig Pudders has ever been to". 8)

It was the whole experience combined together which I think anyone that was there will tell you made it feel like it transcended normality. Very hard to put into words to be honest, so glad we were able to go, fantastic end to a mostly shit year!

A great review, I'm insanely jealous. The Beatles were my formative musical experience (I'm old enough to have bought the 7" of both Get Back and Let It Be in I think 1970) but I've never seen any of them live.

It was the whole experience combined together which I think anyone that was there will tell you made it feel like it transcended normality. Very hard to put into words to be honest,

Quite. It sounds a bit daft but when they started Got to Get You Into My Life I had one of those tingly moments & thought, y'know what, we're truly in the presence of greatness here (& it's not even a particular favourite of mine tbh).

Quite. It sounds a bit daft but when they started Got to Get You Into My Life I had one of those tingly moments & thought, y'know what, we're truly in the presence of greatness here (& it's not even a particular favourite of mine tbh). The last time I had that feeling was probably Zep at the O2.

A great review, I'm insanely jealous. The Beatles were my formative musical experience (I'm old enough to have bought the 7" of both Get Back and Let It Be in I think 1970) but I've never seen any of them live.

I've been very lucky - I saw George Harrison in 1991 at the Albert Hall, it was my all time favourite gig until Saturday - Ringo played a couple of numbers with him that night as well ;) I could just imagine, had George still been with us, him walking on stage Saturday and playing a couple of numbers with Paul..... :'(

First gig of the year and what a cracking start to what promises to be a memorable 12 months!

Coincidentally I'd made contact with an old school mate through Facebook a couple of weeks ago and as NBZ had been a shared pleasure back in the day it seemed an ideal opportunity to meet up and chew the fat. As it happened I bumped into a few other friends at Leatherhead station who were also heading up to the sell out gig so it turned into quite a raucous evening! My ticket collection tells me the last time I saw the band was October 1990 at the Forum (then the Town & Country Club), it doesn't tell me what the line up was but stalwarts Dennis Greaves (guitar & vocals) and Mark Feltham (harmonica & vocals) remain and Rory Gallaghers former rhythm section of Brendan O'Neill (drums) and Gerry McAvoy (bass) may well have been there 20 years ago as well - time is a cruel thing where the old memory is concerned.

A word for the three young lads opening up for the main act - fronted by a 12/13 year old blues guitarist called Aaron Keylock. Impressive, very impressive - time will tell if he's got what it takes but definitely one to watch - he plays with some expression and emotion for one so young!

NBZ shuffled on stage around 9pm and proceded to transport Geoff and I back into the 80's with a heady mix of Sarf' London R&B, delivered with a minimal amount of chat between numbers. Greaves and Feltham looked like a couple of extras from The Long Good Friday - Greaves in particular always had an 'attitude' about him which hasn't mellowed over the years, it sits pefectly along side his aggresive, staccato guitar style and 'is' what NBZ are all about. Make no mistake this was terrific stuff as they ran through the full gamut of classic tracks - leaning heavily on the 'Don't Point Your Finger' and 'Live at the Marquee' albums - the Half Moon was truly bouncing. Highlights? Well, it was all cracking but was particularly pleased to hear Liquor Lover and You Can't Please All the People All The Time, Homework and the standards like Ridin' on the L & N. 11+11 got an airing to, reviving those memories of the Young Ones..... McAvoy and O'Neill were just what you'd expect, top class but a special mention for the fabulous Mr Mark Feltham, one of the truly great blues harp players around and an absolute pleasure to see the great man at work close up - I'll even forgive him for appearing to have morphed into a Phil Collins lookalike!

I've no idea what the set list was - then neither did the band, they just wing it! Shout a request and you either get told to 'feck off' or 'yeah, ok, we'll do that one'!

Sounds like a great night Neil glad you enjoyed it they're playing at The Boom Boom Club Friday 4th Feb Â£12 advance Â£15 on the door. Unfortunately I can't make it but thought you might be interested if you didn't already know.

Sounds like a great night Neil glad you enjoyed it they're playing at The Boom Boom Club Friday 4th Feb Â£12 advance Â£15 on the door. Unfortunately I can't make it but thought you might be interested if you didn't already know.

Yeah, saw that but we're out already that night - would have definitely gone. Great live band. We'll have to find something of mutual liking to see there.....can't do the Fleetwood Mac thing as already booked to see Frampton that night.

Summer Indoors is Jon Dahms' (Basspedalman on tnms) 'Neo-prog rock' band - so it says here on this dodgy looking Dutch website ;D Originally formed in 1987 the band were moderately successful, releasing a couple of albums before, having worked their way through 17 different keyboard players the band finally split in 1996. After a couple of false starts the band finally re-united for a gig at this venue last year, which we missed because we were enjoying Summer Abroad, so Lou and I were keen to offer our backing when this gig (actually a support slot for a former IQ frontman Paul Menel) was flagged up.

With Lucy literally just around the corner we arrived at her gaff for a cracking chilli con carne and a cheeky red wine before braving the freezing conditions to make the ten minute stroll up The Peel. The venue has become quite well known as a haunt for artists of a Progressive bent - indeed I had hoped to see Fish there just before Christmas but the snow scuppered that idea. It's also well known in these 'ere parts as a house of ill repute with the back bar doubling as a lap dancing club............not that I noticed ::)

Scheduling cock ups meant that Summer Indoors hit the stage almost as soon as the doors to the music room opened so we heard most of the first number from the back of a fairly substantial queue. I'm embarrased to admit that my first reaction was one of surprise - at just how good they sounded! I had not got around to checking any of the Youtube stuff out so was completely unaware of what they were about but I really enjoyed the short set (that's short in number of songs, but as each was suitably progtastically extended they were actually on stage for just a couple of minutes shy of 7 hours........ ;) ) Apart from Jon on guitar, the band consists of Chris Dempsey on Bass and Lead Vocals, Mark Jordan on Drums and Andy Forrest on Keyboards. I was picking up loads of influences in the songs - though I somehow missed the Lifeson/Rush bit that even Louise spotted ::) To me it was a heady mixture of ELP, Yes, Steve Hackett, and Fish era Marillion ("WTF"!! said Jon). The arrangements did at times seem a tad over complicated but that might have been down to the fact that it was only the second live gig in 15 years or something so the tightness, though good wasn't up to Gnats Chuff standard yet! Plus it wouldn't be Prog otherwise, would it? Chris' vocals were strong and his bass playing excellent, whilst the keyboards, or though at times quite dominant never threatened to over power Jon's guitar playing which was pretty impressive I have to say, some lovely 'light & shade' and a cracking sound - despite only sound checking for 30 seconds apparently ;) Was however most impressed by the drummer who despite apparently needing three pairs of arms at one stage kept the whole shebang together and pointing in the right direction - all in all great stuff. Personal faves - according to the scrap of paper in front of me - were Dogs in Space, New Sun Shining and Vanishing Point but all were good and I hope they decide to gig again - I'll definitely be there!

We hung around in the back room for the start of Menels set but, though the music was very good I was rather pissed off by the air of northern superiority exuded by Menel and after about three songs I had an almost uncontrolable urge to deck him - so retreat to the back bar and a swift one with the support act seemed to be the wise thing to do! We all wandered off shortly after - us back to Lucy's, Jon and the band in search of a curry - which meant that we walked about 100 yards down the road being ultra critical of some of those Prog Arrangements before we released Mrs Dahms was 6 foot in front of us taking notes!

Awwww thanks for the kind words Neil...... Still 'Clutching at Straws' for the Fish era Marillion influence but ACTUALLY, in hindsight, the mid-section of New Sun Shining is a dead ringer for the quiet section of Splintering Heart from Holidays in Eden which MAY have been kicking around in Marillionland at the end of Fish' tenure........... We want to do more gigs so I'll keep you posted.... Happy to play at any TNMS gathering so we have a good excuse to play LOADS of Rush songs!!!!

We hung around in the back room for the start of Menels set but, though the music was very good I was rather pissed off by the air of northern superiority exuded by Menel and after about three songs I had an almost uncontrolable urge to deck him -

Summer Indoors is Jon Dahms' (Basspedalman on tnms) 'Neo-prog rock' band - so it says here on this dodgy looking Dutch website ;D Originally formed in 1987 the band were moderately successful, releasing a couple of albums before, having worked their way through 17 different keyboard players the band finally split in 1996. After a couple of false starts the band finally re-united for a gig at this venue last year, which we missed because we were enjoying Summer Abroad, so Lou and I were keen to offer our backing when this gig (actually a support slot for a former IQ frontman Paul Menel) was flagged up.

With Lucy literally just around the corner we arrived at her gaff for a cracking chilli con carne and a cheeky red wine before braving the freezing conditions to make the ten minute stroll up The Peel. The venue has become quite well known as a haunt for artists of a Progressive bent - indeed I had hoped to see Fish there just before Christmas but the snow scuppered that idea. It's also well known in these 'ere parts as a house of ill repute with the back bar doubling as a lap dancing club............not that I noticed ::)

Scheduling cock ups meant that Summer Indoors hit the stage almost as soon as the doors to the music room opened so we heard most of the first number from the back of a fairly substantial queue. I'm embarrased to admit that my first reaction was one of surprise - at just how good they sounded! I had not got around to checking any of the Youtube stuff out so was completely unaware of what they were about but I really enjoyed the short set (that's short in number of songs, but as each was suitably progtastically extended they were actually on stage for just a couple of minutes shy of 7 hours........ ;) ) Apart from Jon on guitar, the band consists of Chris Dempsey on Bass and Lead Vocals, Mark Jordan on Drums and Andy Forrest on Keyboards. I was picking up loads of influences in the songs - though I somehow missed the Lifeson/Rush bit that even Louise spotted ::) To me it was a heady mixture of ELP, Yes, Steve Hackett, and Fish era Marillion ("WTF"!! said Jon). The arrangements did at times seem a tad over complicated but that might have been down to the fact that it was only the second live gig in 15 years or something so the tightness, though good wasn't up to Gnats Chuff standard yet! Plus it wouldn't be Prog otherwise, would it? Chris' vocals were strong and his bass playing excellent, whilst the keyboards, or though at times quite dominant never threatened to over power Jon's guitar playing which was pretty impressive I have to say, some lovely 'light & shade' and a cracking sound - despite only sound checking for 30 seconds apparently ;) Was however most impressed by the drummer who despite apparently needing three pairs of arms at one stage kept the whole shebang together and pointing in the right direction - all in all great stuff. Personal faves - according to the scrap of paper in front of me - were Dogs in Space, New Sun Shining and Vanishing Point but all were good and I hope they decide to gig again - I'll definitely be there!

We hung around in the back room for the start of Menels set but, though the music was very good I was rather pissed off by the air of northern superiority exuded by Menel and after about three songs I had an almost uncontrolable urge to deck him - so retreat to the back bar and a swift one with the support act seemed to be the wise thing to do! We all wandered off shortly after - us back to Lucy's, Jon and the band in search of a curry - which meant that we walked about 100 yards down the road being ultra critical of some of those Prog Arrangements before we released Mrs Dahms was 6 foot in front of us taking notes!

ohh - good review and well done - I've been meaning to write something since the gig. Saved me a job

I really enjoyed Summer Indoors- and I really had no expectations at all before the gig - just wanted to support a mate.

Thought you played beautifully Jon- I enjoyed your solos. Apart form the drums sounding a bit loud for my ears which is a small point, I thought the balance was good. I noticed some Genesis/Yes and def some Alex sounds in there.But overall I just thought the songs were v good - some tunes, some progness - lovely :DWill def try and catch you guys again - did you make it to the curry house?

oh and thanks Puds for the endorsement of my chilli - I do make a good chilli, even if I say so myself... ;D

This was a gig - intended as a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the bands second album, Once Again - I hankered after attending from the moment it was announced. I had decided to forego and make do with Islington (last November) mainly as it involved some travel and probably intense negotiations with Mrs Pudders! However the death of keyboard player Woolly Wolstenholme shortly before Christmas meant a re-think and when you have the best wife in the world suddenly everything falls into place. I guess you could classify Lou as a 'Greatest Hits' type of BJH fan but she enthusiastically agreed that the gig offered a wonderful opportunity to get away for a couple of days.

We joked on the BJH forum about it snowing in Buxton in February - we really should have known better! Let's just say that, after a shit journey the last 10 miles into the town was 'interesting' as the road, lined each side by fresh falls of snow, disappeared into a misty nothingness. I headed a relief column of about 20 cars into the centre of town about 4pm and managed to find a parking space right outside the Old Hall Hotel. Checking in we had enough time to freshen up and pass a few words of greeting with unknown fans proudly displaying their colours. Had a cracking meal in the hotel Wine Bar then headed over, somewhat later than intended, to an absolutely heaving pub. Thankfully we were greeted just inside by quite a few familiar faces from the BJH forum plus some that I met for the first time. Good to have a couple of pre-gig beers before we wandered over the road to the Opera House to watch the support - provided by Jake Fletcher and friends. I really enjoyed them I have to say - lovely harmonies and some great little tunes! Jake, by the way, is the son of current JLBJH bass player Craig Fletcher. A note on the venue, a very grand and ornate building both inside and out, a description that could also be applied to some of the stewards.....our seats were towards the back of a moderately sized auditorium but we were under the Dress Circle which meant that the sound occasionally got a bit muffled but, overall, it was pretty good - with one exception as stated below!

And so, to the main course: In the interests of accuracy I made some careful notes on a scrap of paper in my own cryptic style - even now some poor bemused cleaner at the Old Hall is wondering if she has rumbled the code book to some terrorist cell because that's where it would appear I've left the bloody thing! So, it's back to the old memory then!

I really didn't know how it was going to go as this was the first gig since Woolly's death and the funeral was only a few weeks ago. I was actually quite nervous - so heaven knows what the band were feeling like as they walked on stage. There was a pre-arranged semi-standing ovation from those that knew followed by the unexpected (by me) intro to She Said. Despite the fact the sound engineer managed to leave John's guitar in the loo for the first half of the song I thought it was a bold opening statement as this track was always so heavily associated with Woolly - I do remember writing on my bit of paper 'She Said - a requiem for Woolly?' but the next day it dawned on me that it was, after all, the first track on Once Again so was as good an opener as any for that reason alone! Emotions taking over I guess.....and I think they were clearly evident up on stage too - John Lees admitting to 'a bit of a shaky start' at the end of the song. But it all slowly came together during Child of the Universe and with the utterly brilliant Hymn For The Children the band seemed to be much more at ease with the whole evening. This song is a personal favourite of mine, from the Time Honoured Ghosts album and I'm not sure if it has ever been played live before - if it has I've never heard it before! There was that wonderful moment of realisation as the first few notes were played, fantastic! EDIT: Bit of research shows it was played in the mid 70's, before my time as they say!

When Lou and I talked about the gig afterwards I voiced the opinion that on a couple of occasions John's heart didn't seem to be in the song 'Ancient Waves' was one with a rather indistinct vocal, Poor Mans Moody Blues another which just seemed a little lacklustre. Could just have been me though and really everything else was at least good, and often tremendous! Both Mockingbird and Galadriel were beautifully performed with John's simple guitar motif and perfect vocal delivery on the latter, quite wonderful! Ball and Chain was just a blast - great fun for the band - and a suitable loosener for the end to the set that John was aghast at as he looked again at the running order, " Good God, who wrote this set list!?" With Craig Fletcher's cheeky 'you did!' ringing in his ears the pairing of Summer Soldier and Medicine Man seemed to be a perfect end to the main set... only it wasn't the end. As John stepped up to the microphone I have to admit I was quite overcome by his heartfelt and honest words. You could have heard a pin drop as he spoke of the friend he had known since he was 16 years old, how he had not yet come to terms with what had happened and how he was unsure he ever would be able to ('......a massive, massive loss. I don't know how you put something like that back in the box, I don't think you do really'). Powerful stuff. Introducing the last number John was apologetic about the 'awful title' but what followed was a brilliant performance of Song for Dying full of passion and emotion and a fitting conclusion to the main set.

There was more emotion on display in the first part of the encore, The Poet and After the Day. I thought of John's words - I can't remember from where - about Woolly sitting up on the roof of Preston House (Where the band lived in the early days) 'sitting up here where I'm wind blown' and his old friend must have been in his thoughts as he sung those words. It's a magnificent pairing at the best of times and tonight was one of those times. The final song of the night, Hymn, offered the audience the chance to let go of their own emotions - something I certainly did so apologies to those close enough to me to hear my fantastic voice at full throttle! Great to have the 'yeahs' back as well!

I know that this gig was meant to be about the 40th anniversary of an album, 'Once Again' but it was in the end more about one man, described by John as a 'complicated man [who gave us] beautiful, simple melodies'. The night just really emphasised how much I, and the band, will miss him.

Set ListShe Said Child Of The Universe Hymn For The ChildrenPoor Wages Ancient WavesPoor Man's Moody BluesUrsula (The Swansea Song)Mocking Bird Galadriel Ball And ChainSummer SoldierMedicine ManFor No One Song For Dying---------------The Poet/After The Day Hymn

Emotional just reading without having been there; poor John. Some of their songs can still get me at the best (worst?) of times, so I reckon I'll be a blubbing mess if they do Scotland again!

Thanks again. :)

World record time for gettng a review up I think! Wanted to do it while it was still fresh in the mind as it were! There is talk of some European festivals in the summer, then a tribute gig, proper, for Woolly around September/October time and that may be followed by a few dates around the UK.

Woolly's story and his passing were so sad.... Such a lovely sense of feel and melody in everything he was a part of. Highly underrated, I'd put him in the same territory as Rick Wright. What a sound you could have made with Woolly on Mellotron and Rick on Hammond Organ eh? Thanks for the review Neil.....

I love (what I call) these 'Journeyman' gigs, where you like a band/artist so much that you decide to head off into gawd-knows-where just to get to a particularly special show. I did that a few times with Hawkwind back in the day, and more recently with Thea Gilmore. Our best was when we headed to Spain to see a Uryguayian singer Jorge Drexler at a theatre in Laura's home-town of Cadiz, and an early Kaiser Chiefs gig in Barcelona when we happened to be there on a city-break.

It's a great time, bolstered by the travelling and shared experiences with your fellow travellers/punters. Glad you both had a good one :)

Took a half day off and headed up to town mid afternoon. Popped over to the Tower Hill Memorial to Merchant Seamen and Trawlermen lost in the World Wars as I wanted to get some photos if possible of a couple of names of men who were at St John's (the school I work at) for my next project! I'd written the names down on a scrap of paper but had assumed they would be in alphabetical order, or that their would be a register to look up....wrong! they are listed by ship, and there are thousands of names!! After an initial forlorn attempt to just 'find' them (I was sure one of the ships was something like 'Citano' ::) ) I resorted to trying to log on to the CWGC website via the phone - but it was taking for ever so I gave up and headed out of the Memorial. As I did so I turned back and there, straight in front of me, was one of the names - under a ship named the 'Gitano' - oh well I was close! Even more remarkably about twenty names higher was the other name! So, mission accomplished!

Next port of call was the Old Bank of England pub in Fleet Street - a Fullers hostelry and one of my favourites in London - I used to frequent it when I was researching my family history at the nearby Public Records Office in Chancery Lane and the Births, Marriages and Deaths at St Catherines House in The Aldwych. I was meeting a couple of ladies from Australia to whom I may or may not be related - through my convict 3xGreat Grandfather. It's very doubtful to be honest but, as they were in the UK it seemed a good idea to meet up and they were great company. As they headed off to meet someone else for the evening I set off again this time up to Kings Cross for the pre-Riverside gig meet up. Joined Mark, Oz, Bez, Jon and his mate and also Reg - and my old mucker Greg who I hadn't seen for ages - despite the fact he lives just up the road from me! He was the keyboard player in the very first band I was in, at Agricultural College, back in 1981, knew nothing about Riverside but likes his prog so I figured he was good bet for the spare ticket. As usual we put the world to rights, had a drink or two, discussed the worrying news that ARH was now attending the O2 gig and discovered that I was being put forward as an 'expert' on WW1 Battlefields to the offspring of various members of tnms, their families and friends!

The gig itself was very good. We found ourselves a spot just left of central as the support act was still playing - then drifted a bit more as people milled about at the end of their set. By the time Riverside came on it was pretty packed and I once again won the 'pair of drunken nutty fans stand next to you' prize. In fairness they were slightly behind me as well and I wasn't that bothered, though my elbow did stray a couple of times when they got over boisterous (those Poles know how to have good time eh?), but I imagine they were driving Jon and his mate nuts as they were stood in front of them.... I thought the sound was only ok to start and it took a while to get sorted - the drums and guitar were really low to start with - but once it was sorted it was really good. Lots of familiar stuff plus two new tracks of which the second, played in the encore, was top quality. Tried fiddling with the settings on the camera last night which meant most pictures came out crap - but I'll have another look later and see what if anything is worth posting....

Easy journey back down to Waterloo and home with Greg - finally having the chance to have a good chin wag - and home about 12.30.

So, been a while since I've updated in here - not really had the urge to do the gig reviews etc as life has become quite focused on Lou as she has had a difficult couple of months. Now though she is in Lanzarote - where the boys and I will join her on Thursday - and she's feeling a whole lot better! It will be two weeks we've been apart and I can't wait to get out there......

Anyway, a quick summary of the last few weeks: Part One!

The weekend away in France was great. Neil (Head of History at School) and I managed to get an early boat which meant we were at Fromelles, near Lille, by 3pm on the Friday. This is the new War Graves Cemetery built after the discovery of mass graves nearby - interesting to see but felt strangely detached, perhaps it was just the 'newness'? From there we moved down to Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, (see photo above) at the far north of the Somme battlefield. A place probably not visited much but as so often it was a beautiful setting, set off by the glorious weather, as we searched for and found one of the former pupils of the School. Standing there, in front of his grave, reading the description of how he died in the regimental history was very powerful and quite moving - and it was almost 95 years to the day that he died as well. From there we headed down towards our B&B for the night - Avril Williams place at Auchonvillers, a legend in it's own full-English breakfast! After a cracking evening meal we walked around to the local War Graves Cemetery and said hello to another former pupil, also killed on the first day of the Somme, attacking the famous Hawthorn Ridge. It inspired us to walk the support trench lines to just behind the frontline as-was that day which, with dusk fast approaching and a full moon was quite spectacular and again moving.

Day two was fairly straightforward - we had work to do, collecting info for worksheets at Newfoundland Park and at Thiepval Memorial before moving up to The Woods - High Wood and Delville wood - both scenes of prolonged and horrendous fighting in the weeks and months following that disastrous first day. Delville is an awesome place - it just 'feels' so sad and walking though the wood today I always feel uncomfortable, recalling the fighting that took place here. High Wood was famously described by the late great Richard Holmes as, "Ghastly by day, ghostly by night, the rottenest place on the Somme", and with reason. More former pupils lie here - some are just names on Thiepval, their bodies never being identified........lost in the mud and confusion of battle, lost in the Hell they called High Wood.....

That evening we had a long and interesting chat with Avril and a couple of other guests back at the B&B - the wine flowed! - before hitting the sack and sleeping soundly........

Next day Avril showed us around her cellar - a Stretcher Bearers post during the Somme - and I had one of those occasional 'moments' which I won't bore you with but was very real! We were heading home that day but wanted to pay a couple of visits on the way back. First stop was at Vimy Ridge - the Canadian memorial ther dominates the surrounding countryside - where we wanted to check out the tunnels. Sadly only half of the route was open due to flooding but it was interesting nevertheless - though not as good as the Wellington Tunnels in Arras. From there we moved onto the French National Memorial at Notre Dame de Lorette. Another amazing place - over 40,000 graves, a chapel and an Ossuary containing the coffins of unknown French soldiers who died in the various conflicts the nation had been involved in.

All in all a really enjoyable and thought provoking trip - and looking forward to returning with Neilp in September.

Next port of call was the Old Bank of England pub in Fleet Street - a Fullers hostelry and one of my favourites in London

I've been twice at a pub called The Old Bell, which is also on Fleet Street. Very nice old pub. I seem to remember they had built the pub about 300 years ago, for the constructors that were rebuilding a nearby church after a fire... :)

Here it is:(http://img01.beerintheevening.com/6d/6d4221099710468641a005a7d5428266.jpg)

I've been twice at a pub called The Old Bell, which is also on Fleet Street. Very nice old pub. I seem to remember they had built the pub about 300 years ago, for the constructors that were rebuilding a nearby church after a fire... :)

Here it is:(http://img01.beerintheevening.com/6d/6d4221099710468641a005a7d5428266.jpg)

I've seen that one - never been in mind - there are some great pubs hidden away in London :)

Just quietly making a record of the fact that in a weeks time I am off to Poland for four days with the school with the main object of the trip being a visit to Auschwitz. I went there when I was at school in 1979 but this will be......different.

Looking across towards the actual Gas chamber (far side) of Crematorium 3 - the previous picture taken from far left. Average of about 1000 people on a transport of which at it's height 75% went straight to their deaths. This and Number 2 could take 2000 at one time, murder on a truly industrial scale.